USA: Study shows that indigenous potato cultivation in the Four Corners region has lasted for more than 10,000 years.
A recent study from the University of Utah has thrown a wrench into the agricultural history of the southwestern United States.
It turns out that the humble Four Corners potato, or Solanum jamesii, is far from being a mere accompaniment in the narrative of regional domestication.
Analysis of ancient stone tools indicated that native populations were cultivating this tuber long before Spanish ships kissed the horizon.
According to At The U , starch residues on these artifacts showed that the baby potato has been a staple food in indigenous diets and agriculture for up to 10,000 years.
The study’s lead author, Lisbeth Louderback, an anthropologist at the university and the Natural History Museum of Utah, stated, "By incorporating new archaeological data and ethnographic interviews, we are building a case for the domestication of S. jamesii in the southwestern United States," according to At The U. Not content with this revelation, the team has also been interviewing Diné (Navajo) elders, many of whom shared their knowledge of the crop, which they referred to as "nímasii yázhí," meaning a small relative of the potato.
These findings suggest a deeper and more profound connection between people and the tuber than previously thought.
As evidence of the potato’s robust lineage, comparisons with common red potatoes reveal that the Four Corners variety contains three times more protein, twice the calories, essential minerals, and is a high-fiber food. This small potato offers a nutritional value far exceeding expectations. Researchers examined 401 ancient hand tools and metates and discovered that the highest proportion of S. jamesii starch granules was found on tools from sites near living populations of the plant, as reported by At The U.
Fuente: hoodline.com
