Unveiling the Roots: The History of Cotton Domestication

Scientists have discovered the domestication history of upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, tracing it back to Stone Age farmers in northwestern Mexico, predating the Maya civilization. Accounting for 90% of global production, cotton is the world's most profitable nonfood crop known for comfort and durability.

In a breakthrough that sheds light on the world's most profitable nonfood crop, scientists have uncovered the genetic history of upland cotton, or Gossypium hirsutum.

This dominant species, which commands around 90% of global cotton production, was first domesticated in the ancient Stone Age communities of northwestern Mexico, according to recent genomic research.

The discovery provides valuable insights into the origins and farming practices of early human civilizations, predating even the illustrious Maya culture that later thrived in the region.