PUMPKIN Cucurbita pepo Genus - Cucurbita Pumpkins are known by the species name Cucubita pepo - which also includes squash, gourds, and zucchini. Archologist have found evidence that Indigenous peoples starting cultivating pumpkins 10,000 years before domesicated corn or beans. The oldest example Modern day pumpkins are the result of thousands of years of selective breeding. Native to Central America, Pumpkins were cultivated by indigenous people 10,000 years before domesticated corn or beans. Making it one of the oldest known crops! Ancient pumpkins were wildly different from the varatites we know today. They were small and hard. They were mainly grown for their edible seeds and as containers.