Paleoethnobotany: a handbook of procedures

TLDR

Paleoethnobotany studies human‑plant interactions across history, and this edition reflects the field’s growing quantity and sophistication. The book outlines diverse techniques for studying human‑plant interactions and argues that anthropologists must identify plant remains and understand ecological contexts while botanists should consider cultural perspectives and the archaeological record’s limits. It includes rewritten chapters on phytolith analysis, a new chapter on integrating biological data, and updated techniques such as residue analysis, starch grain applications, expanded pollen analysis, environmental reconstruction examples, and a broader international perspective. The edition is identified by reference number 4.

Abstract

Paleoethnobotany is the study of human-plant interactions throughout history. This edition presents the diverse approaches and techniques used by anthropologists and botanists in the study of human-plant interactions. It shows why anthropologists must identify plant remains and understand the ecology of human-plant interactions. Additionally, it demonstrates why botanists need to view the plant world from a cultural perspective and understand the strengths and weaknesses of the archaeological record. This edition of the definitive work on doing paleoethnobotany follows the steady growth in the quantity and sophistication of paleoethnobotanical research. It features a rewritten chapters on phytolith analysis and a new chapter Integrating Biological Data. It also includes new technqiues, such as residue analysis, and new applciations of old indicators, such as starch grains. An expanded examination of pollen analysis, more examples of environmental reconstruction, and a better balance of international examples increase the versatility of this holistic view of palaeoethnobotany. 4