Banana

:For other meanings, see banana (disambiguation)

History

Domestication of bananas took place in South East Asia. Many species of wild bananas still occur in New Guinea, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Recent archaeological and palaeoenvironmental evidence at Kuk Swamp in the Western Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea suggests that banana cultivation there goes back to at least 5000 BC, and possibly goes back to 8000 BC. This would make the New Guinean highlands the place where bananas were first domesticated. It is likely that other species of wild bananas were later also domesticated elsewhere in South East Asia.

Related Topics:
New Guinea - Malaysia - Indonesia - Philippines - Papua New Guinea - 5000 BC - 8000 BC

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The banana is mentioned for the first time in written history in Buddhist texts in 600 BC. Alexander the Great discovered the taste of the banana in the valleys of India in 327 BC. The existence of an organized banana plantation could be found in China back in the year 200 AD. In 650, Islamic conquerors brought the banana to Palestine. Arab merchants eventually spread bananas over much of Africa.

Related Topics:
600 BC - Alexander the Great - India - 327 BC - Plantation - 200 - 650 - Palestine - Arab - Africa

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In 1502, Portuguese colonists started the first banana plantations in the Caribbean and in Central America.

Related Topics:
1502 - Portuguese - Caribbean - Central America

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