Welcome to DateBack !
This platform provides access to a centralized repository of archaeobotanical evidence (macro-remains) from West Asia, focusing on date palms (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and its wild relatives (Phoenix spp.). The data has been gathered from published studies, books, theses, and archaeological reports (see Bibliography tab).
DateBack includes data tables and an interactive map. It is designed to support research on the history, domestication, and spread of date palm cultivation, covering finds from the earliest records. It facilitates the analysis of geographic and temporal patterns in date palm cultivation and promotes collaboration and data sharing among researchers interested in date palm history (see Contact tab).
In this first version, the coverage extends up to the pre-Islamic period and focuses on macro-remains found in West Asia. The platform is under development, with future updates planned to expand its geographical and chronological scope.
This work, which includes both a review of archaeobotanical literature and the development of a Shiny app, is currently available as a preprint on bioRxiv (Besseiche et al., 2025 - DOI:10.1101/2025.02.21.639487). It was carried out by researchers affiliated with the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), and the French National Museum of Natural History (MNHN).
Contributors: Margot Besseiche, Elora Chambraud, Vladimir Dabrowski, Elisa Brandstatt, François Sabot, Charlène Bouchaud, Muriel Gros-Balthazard.
It was funded primarily by IRD, with additional support from the French Agency for alUla development (AFALULA). This website is hosted by the French Institut Français de Bioinformatique (IFB).
For each set of archaeobotanical remains of date palm or Phoenix spp. identified in the literature and for which we could access the original document, we gathered in the Main table :
When applicable, we added to the C14 table information about radiocarbon dating for date palm remains :
The website is structured into two main sections for exploring the data:
Four additional tabs are available:
This section provides two searchable tables:
Main table: This table presents archaeobotanical remains of date palm and Phoenix spp. identified through our literature review. It includes detailed information on:
C14 table: This table compiles radiocarbon dates obtained from date palm remains, as reported in the literature and gathered through our review. Each entry in this table is directly linked to the corresponding site and context(s) in the Main table.
Use the chronological timeline below to filter data by time period. Additional filters on the left allow you to refine the displayed data based on countries, anatomical parts of the remains, preservation states, dating qualities, and taxa reported in the Main table.
To facilitate exploration, you can download the full, unfiltered versions of both datasets using the Download buttons.
On the right, the numbers represent total counts for the entire dataset, i.e., the number of entries, the number of archaeological sites, and the number of references from the literature review that support these records. Just below, on the left and above the filters, these counts update dynamically to reflect the filtered dataset based on user selections.
Explore the geographic distribution of date palm remains across different regions and time periods. The data displayed on this map comes directly from the Data Tables section.
Zoom in on specific areas and click on individual points for detailed information, including the archaeological site name, chronological context and dating quality, type of remains and their preservation state, and associated bibliographical references.
The color of the points is determined by the start date of the context in which the remains were found. If multiple points are too close together to be distinguished, they are grouped into a cluster, which is displayed as a circle, colored and labeled with the number of entries.
Use the chronological timeline below to filter the data by time period. Click the Play button on the left to progressively cycle through periods of equal length, from the oldest to the most recent, in 100-year steps. By default, the timeline includes the entire chronology.
Use the filters on the left to refine the displayed data based on countries, anatomical parts of the remains, preservation states, dating qualities, and taxa.
On the right, the numbers represent total counts for the entire dataset, i.e., the number of entries, the number of archaeological sites, and the number of references from the literature review that support these records. Just below, on the left and above the filters, these counts update dynamically to reflect the filtered dataset based on user selections.
Both the data and the application are designed to evolve over time. Updates may include additions or changes to the datasets as well as improvements to the web application itself.
You can access the raw datasets and application V 1.0 here: https://dataverse.ird.fr/dataverse/dateback, or their current verion on our git repository.
We welcome contributions to expand and enhance the data table. If you have new data or wish to propose modifications, please email us at dateback@ird.fr. All submissions will be reviewed and verified by our team before being included in new versions of the data table.
For any issues with the app or questions about the data tables, feel free to reach out to us.
Publication directors: Muriel Gros-Balthazard, Research Scientist, UMR DIADE, IRD and Charlène Bouchaud, Research scientist, UMR 7209, MNHN, CNRS.
Editor-in-Chief: Margot Besseiche UMR DIADE, IRD.
Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD): 44, boulevard de Dunkerque, CS 90009, 13572 Marseille Cedex 20, France.
National Museum of Natural History (MNHN): 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France.
The DateBack website is hosted by the French “Institut Français de Bioinformatique”.
IFB-Core, Génoscope: 2 rue Gaston Crémieux, 91057 Évry CEDEX, France.
Reproduction on paper of pages from this site is authorized, subject to compliance with the following conditions:
Electronic reproduction of all or part of the site is authorized provided that the source (DateBack) and the associated article (DOI) are clearly and legibly added.
Any use for advertising or commercial purposes is excluded. This authorisation does not apply to websites disseminating information of a polemical, defamatory, pornographic or xenophobic nature or likely to offend the sensibilities of a large number of people.
The IRD and MNHN check the accuracy of the information published and regularly update the site. However, the Institutes cannot guarantee that all the information published is accurate, exhaustive and up-to-date. The information published is not contractual and is subject to change without notice.
The information provided by users and contributors is generally updated as soon as possible, but may be delayed for various reasons or constraints. Errors, omissions, out-of-date information and broken links may be reported to dateback@ird.fr.
When consulting the site, users must also ensure that their browser does not contain out-of-date pages - and must, if necessary, empty or deactivate the ‘cache’.
DateBack site offers links to other sites related to their content. The presence of hypertext links to other websites does not imply approval of the information by the IRD and MNHN. The use of such sites is at the user’s own risk.