[1stPickSites] (02/08/07) Seeds of Trade

Seeds of Trade

http://internt.nhm.ac.uk/jdsml/nature-online/seeds-of-trade//index
.dsml

Today's site, from the Natural History Museum, London, presents
an absorbing exhibition on many of the ancient cultivated plants
which are
still flourishing in modern times. Readers will find ample
resources examining the impact of plants and their role in
civilization.

"Civilisation is based on the cultivation of plants, but humans
rely on plants for far more than simple foodstuffs. This virtual
book, written by
Henry Hobhouse, the author of Seeds of Change, and Museum
botanist Sandra Knapp, is an introduction to the fascinating
history of cultivation and some of its impacts on today's
society." - from the website

The site explores the origins, wild relatives and early uses of
more than 50 plant species, focusing on how they influenced the
societies in which
they were produced. Discover the less than enthusiastic response
of the ancient Greeks to what they regarded as the oat weed. Maps
displaying the dissemination around the world generally accompany
the section on the transfer and spread of plants, while the
always popular timeline provides detailed information about the
introduction and uses of specific crops, such as barley, jute and
coffee . Various categories may be explored as well, including
animal fodder, beverages, building materials, food additives,
important drugs, oils, and recreation products, among others.
Exploration of the Regions module can determine what plants are
indigenous to various continents, along with additional material
on the specific plants grown there.

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