Early Evidence of Avocado Domestication in the Americas
At the Museum | Fleischmann Auditorium
This free public lecture by UCSB Professor of Anthropology Amber VanDerwarker, Ph.D., is presented by the Santa Barbara County Archaeological Society.
Recent research demonstrates that ancient Mesoamericans engaged in forest management long before they domesticated maize. Our research from El Gigante provides evidence for the antiquity of tree management practices for several economically useful species. The recovery of thousands of desiccated avocado pits and rind fragments demonstrate in situ domestication over an 8,000-year period. Over time, pits got larger and rinds thicker as people selected for larger fruits. These findings establish southeastern Honduras as a new center of avocado domestication.
For questions about the Santa Barbara County Archaeological Society or the upcoming meetings, please contact SBCAS President Glenn Russell, Ph.D., by email.
Avocado photo CC by 2.0 S. Friedberg
