I'm fairly sure it is one of the ancient grains. Sort of like rye oats, and barley, it grew wild in certain areas where domesticated wheat didn't thrive. (I think it is a hybrid of wheat with some wild grain, such as rye or barley).

I'm pretty nerdy when it comes to food, especially when I try to combine my ancient history interests with it...I used to seek out grains they had in the ancient Mediterranean and make traditional dishes. Durum wheat from Rome, Barley from Greece, Buckwheat, Emmer Wheat....yeah, I'm lame, I know.