Strontium isotope evidence for Pre-Islamic cotton cultivation in Arabia

Evidence from strontium isotope analysis reveals that cotton was cultivated locally in Arabia as early as the late 1st century BCE, predating Islamic influence. This discovery highlights the region's advanced agrotechnical capabilities during Antiquity and underscores the dynamic nature of trans-Arabian trade networks. The study demonstrates that pre-cleaned archaeological cotton provides a reliable method for tracing plant and textile provenance, distinguishing between locally grown and imported fibers at key sites like Hegra and Dadan in al-ʿUlā. By analyzing strontium isotopes from these remains, researchers not only confirm Pre-Islamic cotton cultivation but also shed light on the socio-economic significance of this non-native crop in oasis agrosystems.

Ryan, S. E., Douville, E., Dapoigny, A., Deschamps, P., Battesti, V., Guihou, A., Lebon, M., Rohmer, J., Dabrowski, V., Dal Prà, P., Nehmé, L., Zazzo, A., & Bouchaud, C. (2023). Strontium isotope evidence for Pre-Islamic cotton cultivation in Arabia. Frontiers in Earth Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2023.1257482