The Middle East as a cradle for crops and weeds

Abstract

The Middle East is a geologically complex region that displays diverse topography: high mountain peaks of more than 5,000 meters and depressions of about 400 meters below sea level, elevated plateaus, mountain foothills, alluvial plains, etc. The climate contrasts in this region also differ greatly from almost rainless subtropical deserts to extremely cold high plateaus, and mild Mediterranean to extremely continental type weather. Its vegetation is comprised of dense humid forests, park-forests, dry and moist steppes and semi-deserts (Zohary 1973). In considering the geological and phytogeographical history of the Middle East, Zohary noted that since the early Pleistocene Period, man has strongly affected the natural flora and vegetation and that this influence has led to the domestication of the native plants and animals of this region. He called the last period, which began about 10,000 BC, the `Segetal Period'.