Seed morphology uncovers 1500 years of vine agrobiodiversity before the advent of the Champagne wine
Open Access
- 27 January 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Scientific Reports
- Vol. 11 (1), 1-14
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81787-3
Abstract
A crucial aspect of viticulture is finally unveiled as the historical dynamics of its agrobiodiversity are described in the Champagne region for the first time. Outline analyses were carried out to compare the morphology of archaeological grape seeds from Troyes and Reims (first c. AD to fifteenth c. AD) with that of a reference collection of modern seeds, including wild vines and traditional grape varieties, believed to be ancient and characteristic of the French vine heritage. This allows us to document the chronological dynamics of the use of the wild Vitis type and of the diversity of the varieties used, based on morphological disparity. After showing the existence of morphological types corresponding to geographical groups, we highlight a geochronological dynamic. Our results show that the wild type is used throughout the series, up to the Middle Ages. In addition, domestic forms, morphologically related to southern varietal groups, are very early involved in the Champagne grape agrodiversity. The groups corresponding to the typical grape varieties of today do not appear until the second millennium. These previously unsuspected dynamics are discussed in light of the social, societal and climatic changes documented for the period.Funding Information
- Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR-16-CE27-0013)
This publication has 40 references indexed in Scilit:
- Bioarchaeological Insights into the Process of Domestication of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) during Roman Times in Southern FrancePLOS ONE, 2013
- Multilevel Agrobiodiversity and Conservation of Andean Potatoes in Central PeruMountain Research and Development, 2010
- Evolution and history of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) under domestication: new morphometric perspectives to understand seed domestication syndrome and reveal origins of ancient European cultivarsAnnals of Botany, 2009
- Global Signatures and Dynamical Origins of the Little Ice Age and Medieval Climate AnomalyScience, 2009
- Grape ripening as a past climate indicatorNature, 2004
- Vignobles et modes d'exploitation viticoles antiques dans le Nord de la Gaule. L'exemple de Bruyères-sur-Oise (Val-d'Oise) : une relectureRevue archéologique de Picardie, 2003
- Agriculture et viticulture dans les environs de la résidence impériale de Trêves (Allemagne) au Bas-EmpireRevue archéologique de Picardie, 2003
- La viticulture antique en Languedoc-RoussillonGallia, 2001
- A History of FoodJournal of Interdisciplinary History, 1995
- Histoire de la Vigne et du Vin en France des Origines au XIX e SiecleGeographical Review, 1960