Dynamics of early agriculture – multivariate analysis of changes in crop cultivation and farming practices in the Rhineland (Germany) between the 6th and early 4th millennium BCE

First evidence for food production in continental Europe dates to the late 7 th (Southeast Europe) and the 6 th mill. BCE (Central and Western Europe). Early farming practices, however, were not static and underwent considerable changes and developments in the centuries and millennia following their arrival. Regionally varying processes of standardisation and diversification can be observed. To gain a deeper understanding of these processes on a regional scale, which also allows for a review and discussion of possible causes, we collected data on archaeobotanical macro remains from 72 sites in the Rhineland (Germany), dating from the later 6 th to the early 4 th mill. BCE. The Rhineland was selected due to its rich record in archaeobotanical material. As a multivariate analysis shows, a statistically significant correlation can be demonstrated between chronological development on the one hand and the crop spectrum on the other hand. Moreover, the diachronic patterns reveals a diversification of the cereal spectrum. Similarly, settlement patterns also changed, and sites were located on a greater variety of soils. As a change in environmental factors can be ruled out, we discuss risk management strategies and growing experience with agriculture as possible causes for the observed transformation. Moreover, this methodological approach makes it possible to include sites that yielded only a small number of samples which were previously considered unrepresentative. Using multivariate statistics, we can demonstrate that the sample size has no statistically significant influence on the results of our analysis. • We conducted a quantitative archaeobotanical study on a regional scale. • Application of tbRDA allows the use of non-representative data sets. • An increasing diversification of crops can be observed during the 5th mill. BCE. • A Renyi diversity profile enables the comparison of various diversity indices. • We observed cultural-specific shifts in crop proportions.