Gourd

The Lagenaria siceraria, a plant of the melon family, grown solely for its hard rind, which was much used for making vessels and containers. In some areas the shapes of pots can be explained as copies of gourd vessels, such as in Danubian I. Attested in South America and Thailand (Spirit Cave) prior to 7000 BC, the plant is perhaps the most widespread of all the ancient cultigens. Thought to be of African origin, the dates and routes of its spread are unknown.

The cucurbit Lagenaria siceraria produces a large fruit with a hard rind which was widely used for containers in Africa, southern Asia, the Pacific Islands and the Americas. Attested in South America and Thailand (Spirit Cave) prior to 7000 be, the plant is perhaps the most widespread of all the ancient cultigens. Thought to be of African origin, the dates and routes of its spread are unknown.