Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – Lentils currently cultivated in the Canary Islands have a history dating back nearly 2,000 years, as revealed by the first genetic study of archaeological lentils.

These lentils have long been adapted to thrive in hot and dry climates, making them potentially valuable for plant breeding efforts in response to ongoing climate change.

Modern-day lentil varieties from Fuerteventura. Image credit: Jacob Morales

This historical adaptation could offer significant insights into developing crops resilient to future environmental challenges.

Over a thousand years ago, the indigenous inhabitants of Gran Canaria employed innovative long-term storage techniques to preserve their harvests. They ingeniously carved grain silos directly into the volcanic bedrock in remote locations, ensuring optimal preservation conditions. Remarkably, some seeds remained intact over the centuries, with DNA preserved in plant parts to this day. These ancient crops now serve as invaluable resources for scientific research.

In a recent study, researchers examined lentils discovered in these ancient grain silos. By comparing the DNA from these archaeological lentils with those currently cultivated in the Canary Islands, Spain, and Morocco, they traced the evolutionary journey of lentil cultivation over time.

This study is among the pioneering efforts to utilize archaeological DNA from legumes for such analyses.

European seafarers first encountered the Canary Islands, located off the coast of Africa, in the 1300s. At that time, these islands were already home to inhabitants who had migrated from North Africa over a thousand years earlier. Historical records from European explorers mention agricultural practices by these indigenous people but do not reference lentils.

This raises questions about when and how lentils arrived on the islands.

Archeological lentils in the study. Image credit: Jacob Morales

A recent study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science sheds light on this mystery. The research reveals that lentils have been present on the Canary Islands for a considerable period. Genetic analyses conducted by scientists indicate that many of today’s lentil varieties are descended from those brought by early settlers from North Africa as far back as the 200s.

“The same type of lentils has been cultivated for almost 2,000 years in the Canary Islands. This is interesting, especially considering that the indigenous population was greatly diminished when Europeans took over the islands. But the new settlers seem to have adopted the indigenous people’s crops and continued to grow them,” says Jenny Hagenblad, senior associate professor at Linköping University, who led the study.

The survival of these lentils over such an extended period is attributed to several key factors.

Researchers propose that these varieties were particularly well-suited to the local climate, which contributed to their long-term survival. Additionally, it is believed that indigenous women, who married incoming settlers, played a crucial role in maintaining and passing down knowledge about suitable crops for cultivation.

Lentils grown on Fuerteventura.Image credit: Fayna Brenes

Even today, Canarian women possess more extensive knowledge than men regarding the plants grown for food in the region.

The preservation of the original type of lentils in the Canary Islands is more than just an interesting tidbit; it reflects a growing interest in the islands’ cultural heritage. Many people are eager to explore and enjoy foods that are deeply rooted in history, with lentils playing a significant role in this narrative.

According to Jonathan Santana, a researcher at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, their study reveals that various types of lentils are cultivated across different islands, including those previously thought not to be suitable for growing them.

Preserving these diverse lentil varieties is crucial because their genetic diversity holds potential value for the future of agriculture.

The preservation of the original type of lentils in the Canary Islands is more than just an interesting tidbit; it reflects a growing interest in the islands’ cultural heritage. Many people are eager to explore and enjoy foods that are deeply connected to their history, with lentils playing a significant role in this narrative.

Research conducted by Jonathan Santana at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria reveals that various types of lentils are cultivated on different islands, including those previously thought not to grow them.

Preserving these island-specific lentil varieties is crucial, as their genetic diversity could be invaluable for future agricultural developments.

Researchers have uncovered an interesting finding regarding the term “Lenteja tipo Lanzarote,” which is frequently used in Spanish shops to refer to lentils.

Despite the name, these lentils are not actually produced on the island of Lanzarote. Instead, the designation is linked with a reputation for quality. Through DNA analyses, researchers compared lentils currently cultivated on the Spanish mainland with contemporary Canarian varieties and discovered that Lanzarote lentils seem to have been cross-bred with those from Spain.

“Our results indicate that the lentils from Lanzarote have contributed not only their name but also their genes to Spanish lentils. With the climate change that is now taking place, Canarian lentils, adapted to growing in dry and warm conditions, may be of great interest for future plant breeding,” says Jacob Morales, associate professor at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

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Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Staff Writer