Rithi Ranjana: reconstructing crop economy based on archaeobotanical evidence and radiocarbon dates from an Early Iron Age site in semi-arid Vidarbha, Maharashtra, India

We present results of the macrobotanical remains from an Early Iron Age site Rithi Ranjana in the Vidarbha region, Maharashtra, India. Analysis of 34 floated samples indicates that the likely staple food-grains were Oryza sativa, Hordeum vulgare and Triticum aestivum. Besides, few minor crops, pulses and oil/fibre-yielding plants have been retrieved. In addition, there is evidence of fruits like Carissa sp., Ziziphus nummularia and Emblica sp., which may have been gathered by the ancient settlers for consumption. The macro-botanical finds indicate the presence of winter and summer crops. Few weeds and other wild taxa as an admixture with the above economically important remains were also retrieved. The AMS radiocarbon dates of the plant remains and recovered archaeological artifacts support the affirmation of Early Iron Age cultural period at the site.

Automated summary

The study of macrobotanical remains at the Rithi Ranjana site in Vidarbha, Maharashtra, India, reveals that staple food-grains were rice, barley, and wheat. Evidence of fruits gathered by ancient settlers and the presence of winter and summer crops were also found, indicating the cultural period of Early Iron Age at the site.