Title: Detailed historic analysis of the 'pile-dwelling wheat' Triticum compactum (Binkel)
Authors: Margarita Kwich
Addresses: Bürmoos, Austria
Abstract: When identifying the historical genesis of wheat (Triticum), often the narrative arises that its main European predecessor is Triticum compactum, which often was found in prehistoric pile-dwelling settlements in and around the Alps. Therein, the tetraploid type predominated, but hexaploid also occurred. The present article collects numerous historic accounts on Triticum compactum (Binkel, in German language) and critically relates them to modern archaeological evidence. The genesis of the species, finds, and historic records are discussed. Present literature does not allow with genetic accuracy that present-day Triticum compactum (Binkel) is totally identical with neolithic pile-dwelling wheat (Triticum antiquorum) but a multitude of hints points towards a considerable degree of similarity between both. Binkel's value for present-day nutrition is undisputed.
Keywords: Binkel; Triticum compactum; historic grain species; genesis of grain; sustainability.
DOI: 10.1504/IJGENVI.2024.142201
International Journal of Global Environmental Issues, 2024 Vol.23 No.2/3, pp.108 - 132
Received: 23 May 2023
Accepted: 02 Jun 2023
Published online: 14 Oct 2024 *