PREFACE

ARCHEOBOTANICAL STUDIES(from Dean 2003)Through systematic collection of flotation, pollen, and vegetal (macrobotanical) from archaeological sites,archaeologists seek to recover evidence of past behavior, living conditions, and subsistence. Remainsfrom collection, processing, storage, consumption, and discard of botanical resources by site occupantsare recovered in a matrix of sediment from specific locations within a site. Flotation and pollen samplesare collected, frequently in tandem, from contexts most likely to contain these remains. Taking bothtypes of samples enhances recovery of botanical information and provides two independent sets ofevidence for use in interpretation and comparison across time and space (Adams and Gasser 1980).Collection of sediment samples for phytoliths, microscopic siliceous plant remains, is less common, but isbecoming increasingly recommended. Guidelines for collecting phytolith samples mirror those forcollecting pollen.These following guidelines advise Southwestern archaeological project directors, and crewmembers onthe retrieval of samples to maximize recovery of archaeobotanical remains. A well-deliberated collectionstrategy can increase the amount and consistency of botanical information obtained from a site.Consistency in sampling can reduce variability in sample collection, treatment, and analysis, and providemore uniform results, allowing greater intersite and regional comparability.Pre-field recommendations stress to project directors the importance of incorporating botanical specialistsinto the development of the research design and the botanical sampling strategies into the samplingstrategy. Involvement of specialists in the initial planning of the research design can ensure relevance andefficiency of field and laboratory procedures, help develop more accurate budgets, and assure maximumrecovery of information relevant to the research questions.Definitions of sample types and field procedures are provided for flotation, vegetal, and pollen/phytolithradiocarbon samples. Table 6.2 outlines recommended number and contexts of flotation and pollensamples. Provision of an exact numbers of samples is avoided because this number is dependent uponresearch questions, site size, preservation, condition, sediment type, and budgetary constraints.PRE-FIELD PROCEDURESI. Specialist/Project Director Communication:A. Encourage botanical specialist participation in the development of research questions,especially those concerning subsistence, and in the development of specific research andsampling designs, especially for large-scale projects.B. Arrange for specialists’ visits to project area: a preliminary visit prior to excavation; oneor more visits during excavation.C. Supply specialist with the following information: project location; sites underinvestigation; vegetation, land forms, and water sources; disturbance; quality of sitepreservation; topographic and site maps; site chronology and radiocarbon dates and theircontexts, correct feature and structure proveniences, and site stratigraphy. Post-fieldchanges to proveniences should be submitted to specialist immediately.II.Specialists’ Preliminary Recommendations:A. Collect samples during testing to assess presence, preservation, and density of botanicalmaterials, and to refine (or establish) the sampling strategy based upon the preliminaryresults.6-54