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During the neolithic era wild blackberries, rubus fruticosus, in Europe, and, Rubus ursinus in north America would have been understood by humans much the same way raspberries were
As a seasonal, energy-rich, and multi-functional resource. However they had some distinctive traits that influenced how people perceived and used them.

Blackberries ripen a bit later than raspberries, often late summer into early autumn
Making them an indicator of the transition toward the harvest season and winter preparation.

Blackberries are landscape indicators. Thriving in hedgerows, forest edges, clearings, and disturbed soils
Patches could signal fertile soil, post-fire regrowth, or abandoned land.

Their dense bramble thickets could also serve as cover for small animals and birds
Resource zones, so foragers might see them as “double harvest” areas. Fruit, as well as, hunting and trapping opportunities. A ‘proto-horticultural’ practice. And, as natural barriers around settlements, gardens, or as animal enclosures.

The thorns and trailing habit may have held symbolic meaning related to protection, boundaries, or the “wild” edge of the human world

Did you know? Berries are eaten and their seeds dispersed by mammals, such as the red fox, American black bear, and Eurasian badger (1)

They were also used as food, and resource
They can be eaten ripe for sweetness and hydration. As, sun-dried berries, or mashed into fruit leather, stored for winter.

Combined with cereals, hazelnuts, or acorns to make proto-breads, porridges, or travel rations

Natural yeasts on skins could enable simple fruit wines or medicinal brews, or starter

The fibers could be used as binding
Young, flexible stems could serve as temporary cordage; weaving materials and for baskets.

The plant has astringent properties for health
Likely predating written history, leaf or root decoctions were made for diarrhea or mouth sores.

Blackberry leaf infusions were used for mouth, sore throats and gum inflammation
Tannins act as mild antiseptics.

Crushed leaves applied to wounds, insect bites, or rashes had anti-inflammatory poultices

It could be used as decorations, or ritual
The dark purple juice could stain skin, fabrics, or basket fibers. And, the rich color might be associated with vitality, strength, or seasonal abundance.

Blackberry seeds preserve okay, and have been found in Englands mesolithic and early neolithic contexts
Blackberry seeds appear with other wild fruits, in pit deposits.

In Switzerland, and German lake dwellings, blackberry seeds were found alongside crabapples, hazelnuts, elderberries, and cereals
Suggesting a mixed diet of wild and cultivated foods.

In Danish kitchen middens remains mixed with fish bones and shellfish were found too
Indicating seasonal camps, where multiple food sources were exploited.

Prehistoric coastal shell middens have also been found in north America, along the pacific northwest
Suggesting that berry collection and consumption was common there. And, tied into late summer gatherings or communal berrying events. Like after salmon runs but before autumn nut and game harvesting.

Blackberry plants date to the neolithic and are universal. Used for seasons, and as landscape markers, as food and resources, for clothing, baskets, and art; in traditional medicine; and more. Check them out with some more neolithic architecture today!

Cite: (1) Fedriani, José M.; Delibes, Miguel (2009). “Functional diversity in fruit-frugivore interactions: a field experiment with Mediterranean mammals”. Ecography. 32 (6): 983–992. Bibcode:2009Ecogr..32..983F (https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2009Ecogr..32..983F). doi:10.1111/j.1600-0587.2009.05925.x (https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1600-0587.2009.05925.x). hdl:10261/50153 (https://hdl.handle.net/10261%2F50153). JSTOR 20696310 (https://www.jsto r.org/stable/20696310)

Bibliography: Harding, Deborah (21 September 2017). “The History of the Blackberry Fruit” (https://www.gard enguides.com/123417-history-blackberry-fruit.html). gardenguides.com. Garden Guides, Leaf Group Ltd.