NDLI: Flax seed production: evidence from the early Iron Age site of Tel Beth-Shean, Israel and from written sources

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Kislev, Mordechai E. Simchoni, Orit Melamed, Yoel Maroz, Lior
Copyright Year	2011
Abstract	For thousands of years, flax was a winter crop of major importance in the ancient Levant, second only to wheat and barley. It was cultivated from the beginning of the early Neolithic period through to Roman times and it is still grown there today. Flax seeds (linseed) contain high concentrations of two essential polyunsaturated fatty acids—linoleic acid (ω-6) and α-linolenic acid (ω-3), which cannot be produced by the human body. Their oxidation occurs rapidly in the air. So, long term storage of linseed needed airtight containers, and tightly stoppered bottles could be used to keep its oil as a remedy. However, were flax seeds consumed as a food, oil or medicament in ancient periods? How commonly were flax seeds eaten? From archaeobotanical finds of flax seed, it is difficult to determine whether the flax was cultivated for fibres alone or for its seeds that can be cold-pressed to release the valuable oil. We have therefore studied ancient written documents describing various uses of flax seeds, including their consumption as a food supplement and uses in medical applications. We conclude that until recently flax was grown primarily for textile fibres, and only smaller quantities of flax seeds were consumed. So, the flax seed finds from the early Iron Age site of Tel Beth-Shean also represent seed consumption or oil extraction.
Starting Page	579
Ending Page	584
Page Count	6
File Format	PDF
ISSN	09396314
Journal	Vegetation History and Archaeobotany
Volume Number	20
Issue Number	6
e-ISSN	16176278
Language	English
Publisher	Springer-Verlag
Publisher Date	2011-06-03
Publisher Place	Berlin, Heidelberg
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Linseed oil DHA EPA ω-3 Israel Iron Age Paleontology Anthropology Biogeosciences Climate Change Archaeology
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Plant Science Archeology (arts and humanities) Paleontology

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