The Origin, Archaeobotany and Ethnobotany of Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller) in the Czech Republic

This contribution deals with ethnobotanical knowledge and archaeobotanical findings of the sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) in the Czech Republic. The appearance of Castanea sativa depended on the last glaciation and consequently approximately six areas as refugia are known up to present in Europe. Later distribution was primarily connected with human activities particularly during the Roman age. Archaeobotanical evidence during the Late Medieval period is rare in Central Europe and Early Modern evidence is exceptional. Despite the fact that this period has opened up new kind of relationships between humankind and plants, archaeobotanical analyses of materials dated to this period are still fairly rare. The unique collection of macroremains enriching our knowledge of the diet standard of high society, originating from the waste vault infill in Prague Castle, supports the importance of the use of sweet chestnuts at the beginning of the 17 th century. Based on recent archaeobotanical and historical data, chestnuts were not known in the Czech Republic earlier than the 16 th century when the first experimental planting began. This paper has given special attention to those first planting referred to as "katnky" in the scope of the ethnobotanical survey. In addition, the valuable multiple utilisation placed Castanea sativa among the most important useful plants

Agriculture · Archaeology · Biology · Botany · Czech · Ethnobotany · Geography · Medicinal plants · Paleoethnobotany · Period (music · Horticultural and Viticultural Research · Nuts composition and effects · Plant and Fungal Interactions Research

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