Origins of Wheat
Origins of Wheat
The first ancestor of wheat was wild grass. Wild grass seeds were gathered, then the crop straw and chaff were removed, and people ate them. Scientists have found evidence of two early types of wheat dating back to 10,000 years ago called Einkorn and Emmer. This wheat was found in the Fertile Crescent, which is a crescent-shaped strip of land on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean.
The first evidence of wheat comes from the Fertile Crescent, which is on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean.
People started farming wheat 9000 years ago. They began to break up the grassland to plant, harvest, store, and trade grain. This changed the world forever because people could live in one place all year round.
Wheat crops have been around for thousands of years.
Wheat crops were harvested by hand. The crop was removed from the field using a scythe or a sickle. Many ancient farmers would use a flail to separate the grain from the straw, while others would drive oxen over the grain. The kernels of wheat were eaten raw, dried, or ground into flour to make simple flatbreads. This early wheat made a lasting food source when other vegetables and berries weren’t available during the winter.
This ancient Egyptian man is using a flail to separate the grain from the straw.
Cradle Scythe
Flail
The cradle scythe has been used to cut wheat down for thousands of years.
The cradle scythe was still being used in the early 1900s when settlers farmed on the Prairies.
Wheat has been improved throughout history by the help of people. Wheat plants now produce many more seeds per plant. Today, wheat is used in a wide variety of products from breads, pastas, crackers, snacks, and even food for livestock.
Wheat is an ingredient in a wide variety of foods, including bread.
