Neolithic Agricultural Practices in Western Europe | Insider Market Research

Recent research has shed light on Neolithic agricultural practices in Western Europe approximately 7,000 years ago. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights how early farmers in the western Mediterranean selected fertile land and cultivated cereal varieties similar to those used today. They utilized domestic animal feces sparingly, much like contemporary practices. This research, led by Professor Josep Lluís Araus from the University of Barcelona, explores the environmental conditions and agricultural techniques during the Neolithic period. The findings are based on the site of La Draga in Banyoles, Girona, alongside data from sixteen other early agricultural sites across the Iberian Peninsula.

The study reveals that by the time agriculture reached the Iberian Peninsula, it had already achieved a high level of sophistication. This suggests that the techniques and genetic material from the fertile crescent, the cradle of the Neolithic revolution, had evolved and adapted as agriculture spread across Europe. The research involved experts from various institutions, including the University of Lleida, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and the Spanish National Research Council, among others.

Agricultural Practices and Crop Varieties at La Draga

La Draga, located on the eastern shore of Lake Banyoles, is one of the oldest Neolithic settlements in northeastern Iberian Peninsula, dating back to 5200–4800 BC. This site provides significant insights into early farming and stockbreeding societies. The team behind the study used paleoenvironmental and archaeobotanical techniques to reconstruct Neolithic agricultural practices in Western Europe. They found that the environmental conditions were favorable for agriculture, with farmers likely choosing the most suitable lands.

Professor Araus, who led the research, noted that the crops found at La Draga, including durum wheat and poppy, were similar to those cultivated in later millennia. Barley, small spelt, and Triticum timopheevii were also present, though in smaller quantities. The consistency of cereal proportions across different phases of occupation suggests a stable agricultural system. The study also revealed that animals likely grazed in the same fields, which might explain the moderate use of animal manure in fertilization.

Climate and Agricultural Expansion

The study underscores that the environmental conditions at La Draga were more favorable for agriculture than today’s climate. Isotopic analysis of carbonized wood and cereal seeds indicates a wetter environment, supporting a richer vegetation of oak and laurel forests. This suggests that agriculture in the region was not driven solely by adverse environmental changes but aimed at enhancing resource stability compared to a hunting and gathering economy.

As agriculture expanded across the Iberian Peninsula, evidence points to a rapid spread of domesticated plants in various regions. This aligns with existing models that attribute the spread of Neolithic agricultural practices in Western Europe to migratory phenomena. The research contributes valuable knowledge to understanding how Neolithic societies adapted agricultural techniques and conditions. Despite limited material remains from early Neolithic sites, ongoing studies using ecophysiology and stable isotopes continue to reveal insights into the origins and spread of agriculture.

This study provides a comprehensive view of the early agricultural landscape in Western Europe, illustrating the evolution of farming practices and their impact on societal development.