Handbook for the Analysis of Micro-Particles in Archaeological Samples

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

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2. Introduction: Micro-Particle Analysis in Archaeology

   • Amanda G. Henry

   Pages 1-3

3. Micro-Particles Used Primarily for Reconstructing Environmental and Sedimentary Contexts

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 5-5

      PDF

   2. Coccoliths and Other Marine Microfossils in Microparticle Analysis

      • Jeremy R. Young

      Pages 7-21

   3. Diatom Microfossils in Archaeological Settings

      • Jeffery R. Stone, Chad L. Yost

      Pages 23-64

   4. Non-Pollen Palynomorphs

      • Lyudmila S. Shumilovskikh, Bas van Geel

      Pages 65-94

4. Micro-Particles Used Primarily for Analysis of Human Behavior: Diet, Health, Plant Use, Animal Husbandry, and More

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 95-95

      PDF

   2. Starch Granules as Markers of Diet and Behavior

      • Amanda G. Henry

      Pages 97-116

   3. Ash and Dung Calcitic Micro-remains

      • Shira Gur-Arieh, Ruth Shahack-Gross

      Pages 117-147

   4. Identification of Natural Fibers

      • Walter F. Rowe

      Pages 149-171

   5. Parasite Microremains: Preservation, Recovery, Processing, and Identification

      • Morgana Camacho, Angela Perri, Karl Reinhard

      Pages 173-199

5. Micro-Particles Used Widely for Both Environmental and Behavioral Reconstruction

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 201-201

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   2. Pollen and Archaeology

      • Corrie Bakels

      Pages 203-224

   3. Microscopic Charcoal Signal in Archaeological Contexts

      • Laurent Marquer, Thierry Otto

      Pages 225-254

   4. Phytolith Analysis in Paleoecology and Archaeology

      • Dan Cabanes

      Pages 255-288

   5. Other Microparticles: Volcanic Glass, Minerals, Insect Remains, Feathers, and Other Plant Parts

      • Amanda G. Henry

      Pages 289-295

6. Back Matter

   Pages 297-304

   PDF

This handbook provides a resource for those already familiar with some kinds of micro-particles who wish to learn more about others, or for those just starting out in the study of microremains who wish to have a broad understanding about microscopic archaeology. Topics covered in this handbook include diatom microfossils, starch granules, pollen grains, phytoliths, natural fibers, volcanic glass, minerals, insect remains, and feathers.

Archaeological investigations increasingly rely on specialist identification of microscopic remnants found in sites. These micro-particles can provide information about the site environment and human activities that may not be apparent from artifacts and materials preserved on the macro-scale, and have given us new, and often high-profile, information about our past. The investigation of this "invisible archaeology" - that is, invisible to the naked eye - is still somewhat new, and generally each kind of micro-particle is studied individually. Researchers become experts in a narrow range of micro-particle types, but may be less familiar with, or even completely unaware of, the multitude of other forms that are frequently encountered in archaeological samples. This handbook’s accessible approach is suitable for those at the beginner level. 

• microscopic remnants found in archaeological sites
• information about humanity not found in macro-scale materials
• dental calculus
• phytolith morphology and spread of phytolith morphotypes
• "invisible" archaeology

• HARVEST Project, Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

  Amanda G. Henry

Dr. Amanda G. Henry received her PhD in Hominid Paleobiology from the George Washington University, with a project looking at the consumption of plants by Neanderthals and early modern humans. She is broadly interested in plant foods and diet in the past, including the use of plant microremains such as starch grains and phytoliths as archaeological markers. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Archaeology at Leiden University

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