Fig 1.
Map of Southwestern France showing the limits of distribution of the olive tree (Mediterranean bioclimatic area) and the location of the Early Neolithic sites, including those discussed in the paper which delivered archaeobotanical data.
Between brackets: number of sites per category. Site identification numbers refer to Tables 1 and S1.
Table 1.
Site/phases that have been retained after critical revision of stratigraphic, cultural and radiocarbon data.
In brackets: Department number.
Fig 2.
SMA radiocarbon dates performed on carbonized seeds from 10 sites (sum of probabilities when several dates at one site).
Fig 3.
Characteristics of sampling carried out in Early Neolithic sites of South-Western France.
(a) Sieving method: coarse (smallest mesh > 0.5 mm) vs. fine sieving (smallest mesh ≤ 0.5 mm), (b) Number of samples per site/phase, (c) Type of settlement, (d) Number of plant remains identified per phase (MNI).
Fig 4.
Number of plant remains and identified taxa in the sites (site/phases).
The number of plant remains is expressed as the Log value of the MNI.
Fig 5.
Proportions of the main categories of plants in the sites (site/phases) expressed as percentages calculated on the MNI.
The MNI is indicated on the graph at the top of the bar of each site/phase. Only the site/phases with MNI ≥ 30 are considered in this graph.
Fig 6.
Correspondence factor analysis (CFA) performed on the abundance of plant remains (square-rooted transformed percentage data) in the sites (a) and visualization of the distribution of the sites on the first two axes according to characteristics associated to chronology, site type and sieving methods (b). Only site/phases with MNI ≥30 are considered. Cerealia and Triticum sp. are considered as supplementary data. The number of sites per group is indicated at the top of each boxplot. Statistical differences between groups of sites were tested using non parametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results of the tests are indicated in bold on the graphs when significant differences were identified.
Fig 7.
Frequency of the cultivated plants in the sites according to chrono-cultural phases.
Fig 8.
Proportions of the cereals in the sites (site/phases) expressed as percentages calculated on the MNI of cereal grains.
The MNI is indicated on the graph at the top of the bar of each site/phase. Only the site/phases with MNI of cereal grains ≥ 30 are considered in this graph.
Fig 9.
Composition of the archaeobotanical assemblages (% data) considering the main food plants: Hulled cereals, naked cereals, other cultivated (unidentified cereals, pulses and oil plants) and fruits.