Unveiling Ancient Farming in East Africa

A recent study reveals early farming practices in equatorial eastern Africa through the discovery of ancient plant remains near Lake Victoria, Kenya. This evidence confirms the region’s pivotal role in early agriculture, offering new insights into the agricultural history of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Researchers identified domesticated crops, such as cowpea, dating back 2,300 years, highlighting dynamic interactions between local herders and incoming Bantu-speaking farmers. This interdisciplinary research enhances our understanding of early agricultural systems and their implications for modern agriculture.

In a landmark discovery near Lake Victoria in Kenya, researchers have unearthed ancient plant remains that illuminate early farming practices in equatorial eastern Africa. This significant find confirms the region’s critical role in the dawn of agriculture, previously difficult to document due to a lack of physical crop evidence. The study, led by a team from Washington University in St. Louis and the National Museums of Kenya, uncovered crop remnants, including the earliest East African cowpea, dating back 2,300 years. This discovery highlights the dynamic interplay between local herders and Bantu-speaking farmers and offers valuable insights into the resilience and adaptability of ancient agricultural systems, which could inform modern sustainable farming practices. The findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences.