Archaic Subterranean Potato Garden Discovered In Canada [Video]

Indications that the early farmers of North American used methods comparable to contemporary growing procedures have been unearthed in Canada recently. A habitation, which is estimated to be approximately 3,800 years old, unveils a submerged cultivation dominated by soot-covered potatoes.

The breakthrough detection has actually surfaced by accident. A maintenance work along a road proximal to the location of the garden has apparently led to the discovery.

According to Live Science,Tanja Hoffmann from Canada's Simon Fraser University has led a group of archaeologists in investigating the ancient plot. It has been determined that the area was soaked in water for a very long time.

As it turned out, the dampened location has been conducive to environmental conditions as manifested by the preserved state of plants and wooden gardening equipment. The vegetation cited turns out to be Indian potatoes which are scientifically known as Sagittaria latifolia, DNA India reports.

Around 3,767 whole and patchy Wapato plants have been found during the course of the inspection. According to the initial ethnographic narratives of the Pacific Northwest, the chestnut-like roots of the vegetables are essential to the diet of the first indigenous population.

It has been observed that the starchy contents of the potatoes remained intact. The color has transitioned from dark brown to black.

It is astounding to note that the garden has been practically lined up with neatly-arranged rocks of the same sizes. Considering this design, it is highly likely that the design was man-made.

Although barriers will determine how deep the Wapato plants will penetrate the soil, this kind of vegetation are able to permeate far into the ground. Controlling the depth of the tubers allows farmers to easily harvest the plants.

With regard to determining the period the potatoes had been grown, the research team has based its conclusions on the 150 wooden tools found with the plants. Radiocarbon traces on the burnt items signify that the vegetative plot has been abandoned around 3,200 years ago.

The findings of the study have been published in the Science Advances journal.