Onion photo courtesy New Mexico State University Alliums are annual, biennial, or perennial herbs including garlic, chives, shallots, and leeks, along with onions.
Onions are difficult for archaeologists to track because their tissues leave little trace.
Some historians think that onion cultivation began in the Mediterranean area, others claim that onions originated in central Asia, and others say that onions were first grown in Iran and Pakistan. The uncertainty of onion origin is compounded by the fact that several hundred varieties grow wild all around the world, including the ornamental alliums native to North America. The onion had spiritual significance for the Egyptians, and the mummy of king Ramses IV, who died in 1160 B.C., had small onions in his eye. Paintings of onions appear on the inner walls of the pyramids. Sixth century texts from India describe the medicinal use of onions as a diuretic, and as a cure for problems of the heart, eyes, and joints.