Top 10 Earliest Domesticated Crops in Human History
This ranking is based on archaeological and archaeobotanical evidence, highlighting the ten earliest plant species domesticated by humans. These crops established the foundation of agricultural civilization, marking the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to sedentary farming.
Interesting Facts & Summary
At the dawn of human civilization, the fig (Ficus carica) claimed the top spot with a remarkable domestication history dating back over 11,000 years. Interestingly, this precedes the domestication of wheat and barley by approximately 1,000 years. Archaeologists discovered these carbonized figs at the Gilgal site in the Jordan Valley, suggesting that our ancestors were practicing intentional asexual propagation (cuttings) long before they mastered broad-scale farming. This atypical path to domestication cements the fig as a true 'pioneer of agriculture,' predating even the most iconic staple crops in human history.
| Rank | Crop Name | Approx. Domestication (Years Ago) | Region of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
Fig | 11400 | Levant | |
Emmer Wheat | 10500 | Fertile Crescent | |
Einkorn Wheat | 10500 | Fertile Crescent | |
| 4 | Barley | 10500 | Fertile Crescent |
| 5 | Lentils | 10000 | Fertile Crescent |
| 6 | Peas | 10000 | Fertile Crescent |
| 7 | Chickpeas | 9500 | Fertile Crescent |
| 8 | Flax | 9000 | Near East |
| 9 | Broomcorn Millet | 9000 | Yellow River Valley, China |
| 10 | Rice | 8500 | Yangtze River Valley, China |