Editing Founder crops (section)

=== Flax ===
[[Flax]] (''Linum usitatissimum'') was the first species to be domesticated for oil and fibres rather than food.{{sfn|Zohary|Hopf|Weiss|2012|loc="Oil- and fibre- producing plants"}} Its wild progenitor was ''[[Linum bienne]]'', which can be found from western Europe to the Caucasus.{{sfn|Zohary|Hopf|Weiss|2012|loc="Oil- and fibre- producing plants"}} Wild flax fibres were used by humans as early as 30,000 years ago, at [[Dzudzuana cave]] in Georgia,{{sfn|Kvavadze|Bar-Yosef|Belfer-Cohen|Boaretto|2009}} but genetic evidence indicates that domestic flax was initially selected for [[Linseed oil|its oil]].{{sfn|Allaby|Peterson|Merriwether|Fu|2005}}{{sfn|Zohary|Hopf|Weiss|2012|loc="Oil- and fibre- producing plants"}} In Southwest Asia, the oldest known wild linseed comes from [[Tell Mureibit]] and is {{Circa|11,800–11,300 years old}}; thereafter, it is commonly found at [[Pre-Pottery Neolithic B]] sites across the region.{{sfn|Zohary|Hopf|Weiss|2012|loc="Oil- and fibre- producing plants"}} These remains are thought to represent the collection of seeds for pressing or consumption, since flax fibres are usually harvested before the seeds mature.{{sfn|Zohary|Hopf|Weiss|2012|loc="Oil- and fibre- producing plants"}} Domestic flax is distinguished by its non-splitting capsules, larger seeds, higher oil yield, and longer fibres compared to wild varieties.{{sfn|Zohary|Hopf|Weiss|2012|loc="Oil- and fibre- producing plants"}} It does not appear in the archaeological record until relatively late, at [[Tell es-Sultan]] (Jericho), {{Circa|9900–9550 years ago}}.{{sfn|Zohary|Hopf|Weiss|2012|loc="Oil- and fibre- producing plants"}}