what color were most carrots before the late 16th century?

Most carrots before the late 16th century were primarily purple, white, red, and yellow. Orange carrots did not become common until Dutch growers selectively bred them in the 17th century, likely to create a sweeter, less bitter variety. The earlier cultivated carrots were mostly purple, especially in the Afghanistan region where they originated about 5,000 years ago, along with some black and white types. Yellow carrots also appeared in Turkish writings as early as the 900s AD. The orange carrot gained popularity in Europe in the 16th century and became widely cultivated subsequently. This shift to orange carrots is often associated with Dutch growers in tribute to the House of Orange, but it was mainly due to selective breeding for desirable traits.