ABSTRACT
Lentils originated in the Indus valley and North-west Alluvial plains of India. Lens culinaris is the domesticated species. Wild subspecies known as Lens culinaris subspecies orientalis is found scattered all over from Turkey in the west to Gangetic plains in the east. It encompasses regions in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, Jordon and Afghanistan. Lentils are being grown in the Mediterranean region and Indo-Gangetic region, since early Neolithic period. Excavations of Neolithic sites in Israel have proved that lentils were cultivated 6800 years ago. Lentils have been mentioned in ancient Hebrew literature, in bible and in Ancient Indian literature. Ancient Iranians used lentils regularly in their diets. Ancient Syrians used lentils along with barley and einkorn wheat. It is believed that lentils were domesticated in Northern Syria and Iraq by the inhabitants residing on the banks of river Euphrates [1]. Archeological studies indicate that lentils were introduced into Greece and Egypt during Bronze Age. Evidences suggest that lentils were used by native communities living around Lake Biel in Switzerland during ancient era [2].
