From 18 July: Planting the Past – Archaeobotany in Groningen

All our plant-based food—like wheat, fruit, and vegetables—once began as wild plants. For thousands of years, people have selected plants that taste good, grow well, and are easy to harvest. But where do all these plants actually come from? How do we know? And how did they end up here?

The science that studies the relationship between humans and plants is called archaeobotany. Archaeobotanists search for and examine ancient plant remains—such as seeds, fruits, pollen, and wood—found during archaeological excavations. In doing so, they uncover how people lived in the past, which plants they used, and how those plants spread.

In the exhibition Planting the Past: Archaeobotany in Groningen, you'll step into the world of archaeobotanical research in Groningen. Go behind the scenes of the laboratory and explore the extensive collection of remarkable seeds and plant remains under study. You’ll also learn about the techniques researchers use to read the story of the past through plant remains. Discover how archaeobotany helps us understand the deep-rooted connection between people and plants throughout history.