AMUPED: A Database of American Useful Plants in Europe
Authors/Creators
- Irmišová, Jitka (Data collector)1
- Ballesteros, Miguel (Data collector)1
- Garay-Vazquez, José Julián (Data collector)2
- Moricca, Claudia (Data collector)3
- Skružná, Jarmila (Data collector)1
- Majerovičová, Tereza (Data collector)1
- Speleers, Lien (Data collector)4
- Preiss, Sidonie (Data collector)4
- Badura, Monika (Data collector)5
- Wiethold, Julian (Data collector)6
- Brinkkemper, Otto (Data collector)7
- Tereso, Joao Pedro (Data collector)8
- Rodrigues, Mariana (Data collector)9
- Bumerl, Jiří (Data collector)1
- Beneš, Jaromír (Data collector)1
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1.
University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
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2.
University of Exeter
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3.
Sapienza University of Rome
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4.
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Geological Survey of Belgium
- 5. univerzity Gdańsk Poland
- 6. Institut National de Recherches Archéologiques Préventives
- 7. Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
- 8. CIBIO - Research Center In Biodiversity and Genetic Resources
- 9. NOVA University of Lisbon
Description
We present AMUPED (American Useful Plants in Europe Database), a curated and openly accessible dataset documenting archaeobotanical evidence of American plant species recovered from archaeological contexts across Europe, spanning the late 15th to the 20th century. The database currently includes 183 validated records from 14 countries, covering 21 plant species across 11 botanical families. Each record contains taxonomic identification, plant part, archaeological context, dating, inferred use, and site metadata. AMUPED enables the study of spatial and temporal patterns in plant introductions and the cultural significance of New World taxa in post-1492 Europe. The database supports interdisciplinary research in archaeobotany, historical ecology, and transatlantic biocultural exchange. The data were compiled through a systematic review of published literature and excavation reports and underwent expert validation to ensure consistency and reliability. The paper outlines the rationale, structure, and scope of AMUPED, describes the methods used for data collection and quality control, and highlights key findings. We also discuss current limitations, including geographic and chronological gaps, and propose directions for future expansion, such as integration of microbotanical data and historical sources. AMUPED provides a foundation for comparative research and encourages collaboration across disciplines.
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Additional details
Dates
- Submitted
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2025-09-30