Photo: New World Farming Began Around Same Time As Near East's



Ancient squash seeds (top), peanut shells (bottom left), and cotton balls (bottom right) found in prehistoric huts in Peru show that agriculture had taken root in the New World at nearly the same time as the practice appeared in the Near East.

In a new study describing the finds, researchers say that the discovery shows farming spread rapidly across the Americas as far back as 10,000 years ago.

Photographs courtesy Tom Dillehay


NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

50 Drives of a Lifetime

National Geographic Traveler has scoured the globe for the world's most beautiful, interesting, and off-beat road trips. Dive in to get drive directions, quizzes, photos, and more.