Banana phytoliths dating to the fourth millennium BCE in Munsa, Uganda.

Interesting article about the discovery of banana phytoliths dating to
the fourth millennium BCE in Munsa, Uganda.

Regards,
Paul Kekai Manansala
http://sambali.blogspot.com/

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Abstract

The recent discovery of banana phytoliths dating to the first
millennium BC in Cameroon has ignited debate about the timing of the
introduction of this important food crop to Africa. This paper
presents new phytolith evidence obtained from one of three sediment
cores from a swamp at Munsa, Uganda, that appears to indicate the
presence of bananas (Musa) at this site during the fourth millennium
BC. This discovery is evaluated in the light of existing knowledge of
phytolith taphonomy, the history of Musa, ancient Indian Ocean trade
and African prehistory.


http://www.naturalscience.tcd.ie/Interactions_papers/Africas%20earliest%20bananas_pub_ver.pdf

Regards,
Paul Kekai Manansala
Sacramento