A new study has traced the history of lentil cultivation in the Canary Islands back nearly two millennia. The research, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, analyzed DNA extracted from lentil seeds preserved in ancient grain silos on Gran Canaria.
The silos, dug directly from volcanic bedrock, offered conditions that allowed DNA to survive for centuries. By comparing the genetic material from these archaeological samples with lentils currently grown on the islands, Spain, and Morocco, the team found that many modern Canarian lentils are genetically identical to those cultivated by the islands’ indigenous inhabitants in the 3rd century CE.
Jenny Hagenblad, senior associate professor at Linköping University and lead author of the study, said that the continuity of these crops is notable, especially since the indigenous population was greatly reduced following European colonization. “The new settlers seem to have adopted the indigenous people’s crops and continued to grow them,” she said.
The study suggests that the longevity of these lentil varieties may be due to their adaptation to the hot and dry climate of the islands. Researchers also note the potential role of indigenous women in preserving agricultural knowledge, as they may have maintained cultivation practices through generations. Today, women in the Canary Islands reportedly retain more knowledge about local food plants than men.
The researchers also found that lentils from different islands display distinct genetic profiles, even in locations previously thought not to have cultivated the crop. Jonathan Santana, a researcher at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, emphasized the importance of preserving these varieties for their genetic diversity, which could be valuable for future agriculture.
Another finding concerns the “Lanzarote lentil,” commonly sold on the Spanish mainland. DNA analysis showed that these lentils are not grown on Lanzarote itself but have been cross-bred with Spanish varieties. Jacob Morales, associate professor at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, noted that Canarian lentils, adapted to warm and dry conditions, may hold potential for plant breeding amid ongoing climate change.
The preparation of this article relied on a news-analysis system.