Anthropology

The scientists used direct radiocarbon dating on carbonized seeds to document the arrival of cowpea (also known as the black-eyed pea, today an important legume around the world) about 2,300 years ago, at about the same time that people in this area began to use domesticated cattle.

They found evidence that sorghum arrived from the northeast at least 1,000 years ago.

They also recovered hundreds of finger millet seeds, dating back to at least 1,000 years ago.

One unusual crop that Dr. Mueller uncovered was field pea (Pisum), burnt but perfectly intact. Peas were not previously considered to be part of early agriculture in this region.