Ancient history of barley

Archeological evidence indicates that the wild barley was growing in the ancient past in Fertile Crescent 35,000 – 40,000 years ago.

About 9000 BC, the Natufians, who had a Mesolithic culture, gathered and used wild grains.

The Egyptians have a tradition that barley was the first of the cereal mad use by a man and trace its introduction to their goddess Isis.

Sumerian clay tablets described and recommended cultural practices for raising barley around 1700 BC. Barley was an important crop throughout the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age.

It is one of ancient crops in India. It was widely consumed as human food and horse feed in early time, particularly by Aryans.

According to experts, six rowed barley which was being grown in the Indus Valley at Mahenjo-daro and Harappa by about 2500 BC, was almost certainly introduced for Mesopotamia.

In Europe, as early as 3000 BC, barley was a stable food utilized in various types of breads and cakes throughout Europe, especially in the British Isles and Scandinavian.

Barley remained a stable ingredient in porridges along with peas and oats in the British Isles but often was the only cereal ingredient in Scandinavian porridge and stew recipes up until early in the twentieth century. 

Barley was first grown in North America in 1492 by a colony founded by Columbus. Spaniards introduced barley into Mexico during the conquest, and from there it was introduced by missionaries into California.
Ancient history of barley