Comment on "Early domesticated fig in the Jordan Valley".
Kislev et al. (Reports, 2 June 2006, p. 1372) described Neolithic parthenocarpic fig fruits and proposed that they derive from trees propagated only by cuttings and thus represent the first domesticated plant of the Neolithic Revolution. Because parthenocarpic fig trees naturally produce both seeded and seedless fruits and are capable of spontaneous reproduction, we argue that the finds do not necessarily indicate cultivation, nor horticulture predating grain crops.
Lev-Yadun
Simcha
S
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Science Education, University of Haifa-Oranim, Tivon 36006, Israel. levyadun@research.haifa.ac.il
Ne'eman
Gidi
G
Abbo
Shahal
S
Flaishman
Moshe A
MA
D000383:Agriculture / Q000266:history*; D030681:Ficus / Q000502:physiology; D005638:Fruit; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008877:Middle East; D012639:Seeds