Banana

Archaeological evidence from Kuk Swamp, New Guinea, reveals the earliest known banana cultivation dating back at least 7,000 years. Traces of plowing, drainage ditches, and post holes were discovered 20 feet below the surface, indicating sophisticated agricultural practices. Banana cultivation subsequently spread northeastward across Oceania over approximately 2,000 years, with independent introductions to Africa from India around 4,000-5,000 years ago, facilitated by Indian Ocean trade via outrigger canoes. The study highlights the significant role of bananas in early human migration and agricultural development.

Hancock, J. F. (2017). Banana. Plantation Crops, Plunder and Power, 31–58. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315268781-3