Data for: Have humans living within the Greater Cape Floristic Region been using the same plant species through time?
Description
archaeological_data: A summary of all the botanical remains found within archaeological sites primarily within the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR). Three sites, situated close to the GCFR were also included. The data information include: old botanical name, updated name of the plant species if it has changed (this was done in 2017), type of material that was found (e.g. charcoal sample), the age of the archaeological layer in which it was found (e.g. 15,000 BC) and what the authors thought it was used for. The range of material dates from 0 to 80 000 BC. It also includes the name of the archaeological site, what part of the GCFR it falls in, and the name of the study in which it was published. contemporary_data: A summary of all written accounts of plant species that are mentioned to have a specific use for humans. It covers the last 400 years to date. The information includes the old botanical name, the current botanical name (2017), the use category (e.g. medicinal or edible), the part of the plant that is used (e.g. leaves or roots), what it is used for (e.g. headaches or for making beer), how it is prepared (e.g. cooked in coals). It includes the reference source in which it was published and in what part of the GCFR it occurs.