The so-called Triticoid-type grains are known from several prehistoric sites in southwest Asia and their identification has long been unclear. They resemble the grains of wheats and researchers suggested they may represent an extinct Triticeae species, possibly closely related to wild crop progenitors. In this study we identify the Triticoid-type grains as Heteranthelium piliferum (Banks & Sol.) Hochst. and describe the key identification criteria. The identification is based on morphological analyses of modern and archaeological material from several grass species and was first achieved with well-preserved specimens from Early Neolithic Chogha Golan, Iran. We further examined the Triticoid-type grains from recently excavated samples from Early Neolithic Ganj Dareh, Iran, and archived samples from Late Chalcolithic and Late Bronze Age Tell Brak in northeast Syria, confirming their identification as H. piliferum. Based on the study of herbarium specimens at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, London, we provide a detailed distribution map and review the species’ biology and ecological adaptations. Collected and cultivated herbarium specimens were analysed in order to understand the high phenotypic plasticity of the growth habit, its correlation with environmental variables and its relation to grain size. In order to understand the high morphological variability of the charred Triticoid-type grains from archaeological deposits, we assessed the effects of experimental carbonisation at different temperatures on grains of H. piliferum, Triticum dicoccum, T. thaoudar and Secale vavilovii. In light of the present study, we discuss the relevance of H. piliferum for reconstructing prehistoric subsistence strategies.

从西南亚的多个史前遗址中得知了所谓的Triticoid型谷物，其识别长期以来尚不清楚。它们类似于小麦的籽粒，研究人员认为它们可能代表了一种已灭绝的小麦，可能与野生农作物祖先密切相关。在这项研究中，我们确定了Triticoid型谷物为Helifanthilium piliferum（银行与解决方案。）Hochst。并描述关键的识别标准。鉴定是基于对几种草种的现代和考古材料的形态分析得出的，并且首先是使用伊朗新石器时代初古哈·戈兰早期保存完好的标本完成的。我们进一步检查了来自伊朗新石器时代早期Ganj Dareh近期发掘的样本以及叙利亚东北部的晚石器时代和青铜时代晚期Brak的存档样本的Triticoid型谷物，确认了它们的鉴定为H. piliferum。基于对伦敦皇家植物园的植物标本室标本的研究，我们提供了详细的分布图，并回顾了该物种的生物学和生态适应性。分析收集和培养的植物标本室标本，以了解生长习性的高表型可塑性，其与环境变量的相关性以及与晶粒尺寸的关系。为了了解考古沉积物中烧焦的小麦粒类型谷物的高度形态变异性，我们评估了在不同温度下实验碳化对H. piliferum，Triticum dicoccum，T。thaoudar和Secale vavilovii谷物的影响。根据目前的研究，我们讨论了相关性H. piliferum用于重建史前生存策略。