Neolithic founder crops

The Neolithic founder crops (or 'primary domesticates') are the eight species of plant that were domesticated by early Holocene (Pre-Pottery Neolithic A and B) farming communities in the Fertile Crescent region of Southwest Asia. They consist of flax, three cereals and four pulses, and are the first known domesticated plants in the world.

Cereals

Emmer (Triticum dicoccum, descended from the wild T. dicoccoides)

Einkorn (Triticum monococcum, descended from the wild T. boeoticum)

Barley (Hordeum vulgare/sativum, descended from the wild H. spontaneum)

Pulses

Lentil (Lens culinaris)

Pea (Pisum sativum)

Chick pea (Cicer arietinum)

Bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia)

Other

Flax (Linum usitatissimum)