Sorghum bicolor
The almost rainless conditions of the area have created excellent preservation of organic materials. Pottery dated to the post-Meroitic period (AD 350-600) shows evidence of both date palm and doum palm residues. Various samples of sorghum dating from between 800 BC to AD 1800 have also been found at Qasr Ibrim. There are four forms of sorghum that are found on the site. From when the site was settled until around AD 100 only wild sorghum can be found. From AD 100 until around 1500 an early form of cultivated sorghum ("Sorghum bicolor", ssp. "bicolor", race Bicolor) is found. Around 1200 an advanced form of sorghum ("Sorghum bicolor", ssp. "bicolor", race Durra) appears. Between the 5th and 7th centuries a transitional race is also present.