Logo UAB
2022/2023

Archaeobotanics: Social Management of Plant Resources

Code: 44478 ECTS Credits: 6
Degree Type Year Semester
4317545 Prehistoric Archaeology OT 0 1

Contact

Name:
Rafael Mico Perez
Email:
rafael.mico@uab.cat

Use of Languages

Principal working language:
catalan (cat)

Teachers

Ramon Perez Obiol
Raquel Piqué Huerta

External teachers

Marian Berihuete Azorín
Marta Domínguez Delmàs

Prerequisites

None

Objectives and Contextualisation

Archaeobotany focuses on the study of the plant environment and the uses of plants in the past. Students will gain an understanding of how to analyze the remains of plants from the archaeological sites and properly manage their studies. Current theoretical and methodological debates of the discipline will be presented. Sampling strategies, recovery methods, classification, quantification, and interpretation of archaeobotanical remains will be addressed. Although the module deals with all types of the plant remain, the course focuses mainly on the identification of plant macro-remains (seeds, fruits, wood, charcoal) and pollen. The module has a theoretical-practical approach.  By the end of the module, students will be acquainted with how plant assemblages can be interpreted to give us a fuller picture of past economies and human-environment interactions in different archaeological periods.

 

Competences

  • Analyse and extract significant scientific information from archaeological materials and from the results of specialist scientific studies.
  • Critically analyse a scientific problem area on the basis of specific evidence and documents.
  • Design research projects on prehistoric archaeological sites and materials
  • Knowledge and understanding that provide a basis or opportunity for originality in developing and / or applying ideas, often in a research context.
  • Present the findings of prehistoric archaeology projects to different types of audience: specialists and non-specialists
  • Recognise and use suitable theoretical and methodological concepts for the design, planning and execution of projects on prehistoric archaeological sites and materials.
  • Recognise present-day challenges in the study of prehistoric archaeology.
  • Show rigour, responsibility and quality in research and dissemination work.
  • That the students can apply their knowledge and their ability to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study.
  • Work both individually and in multidisciplinary teams

Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply the theoretical knowledge acquired and solve archaeobotanical problems in new environments.
  2. Critically assess the value of the different tools needed for research in archaeobotany.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to integrate into a team with specialists from other disciplines.
  4. Implement protocols for conducting field work and archaeobotanical sample collection.
  5. Knowledge and understanding that provide a basis or opportunity for originality in developing and / or applying ideas, often in a research context.
  6. Organise and plan research work in archaeobotany.
  7. Present and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously in the field of archaeobotany.
  8. That the students can apply their knowledge and their ability to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study.
  9. Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a context of archaeobotanical research.
  10. Use the specific technical vocabulary for interpretation in the field of archaeobotany.

Content

Introduction to the categories of archaeobotanical remains.

The processes of formation of archaeobotanical record.

Sampling and recovery methods of remains during excavation.

Objectives and methods in anthracology and dendrology.

Objectives and methods in paleocarpology.

Objectives and methods in archaeopalinology

New trends in archaeobotany.

Methodology

Guided activities:

- Introductory classes on the theoretical and methodological approaches of the subject.

- Discussion seminars

- Laboratory practices

Supervised activities:

- Tutorials and guided learning exercises (individual or in small groups)

Autonomous activities:

- Search of documentation, reading texts, writing papers, study

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Activities

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Introductory classes on the theoretical and methodological approaches of the subject. 10 0.4 2, 10, 5, 9
Laboratory practices 20 0.8 4, 6, 8, 1
Type: Supervised      
Problem-based learning 20 0.8 3, 10, 6, 8, 1, 7, 9
Type: Autonomous      
Independent study 94 3.76 2, 10, 5, 9

Assessment

Attendance and participation: participation in debates and public presentation of works and exercises

Practical laboratory exercises: written presentation of the results of the laboratory practices

Final work: bibliographic research work

Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Final work 40% 3 0.12 2, 3, 10, 1, 7, 5, 9
Practical exercises 20% 1.5 0.06 4, 6, 8, 1, 5
Works presentation 40% 1.5 0.06 2, 10, 6, 1

Bibliography

AKERET, Ö., JACOMET, S. 1997. Analysis of plant macrofossils in goat/sheep faeces from the Neolithic lake shore settlement of Horgen Scheller - an indication of prehistoric transhumance?. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, vol. 6, pp. 235-239.

ALONSO, N. 1999. De la llavor a la farina. Els processos agrícoles protohistòrics a la Catalunya Occidental, Monographies d’Archéologie Meditérranéenne, 4, CNRS.

HENRY, A. G. 2020 Handbook for the analysis of micro-particles in archaeological samples. Springer Nature, 318 p.

ASOUTI, E. , AUSTIN, P. 2005. Reconstructing Woodland Vegetation and its Exploitation by Past Societies, based on the Analysis and Interpretation of Archaeological Wood Charcoal Macro- Remains. Environmental Archaeology. 10: 1-18

BEHRE, K.-.  JACOMET, S. 1991. The ecological interpretation of archaeobotanical data. In Progress in Old World Palaeoethnobotany, eds. W. Van Zeist, K. Wasylikowa  K.-. Behre, Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 81-108.

BOGAARD, A., HEATON, T.H.E., POULTON, P., MERBACH, I. 2007. The impact of manuring on nitrogen isotope ratios in cereals: archaeological implications for reconstruction of diet and crop management practices. Journal of Archaeological Science, vol. 34, pp. 335-343.

BOGAARD, A., HODGSON, P.J., WILSON, P.J., BAND, S.R. 1998. An index of weed size for assessing the soil productivity of ancient crop fields. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, vol. 7, pp. 17-22.

BRAADBAART, F., POOLE, I. 2008. Morphological, chemical and physical changes during charcoalification of wood and its relevance to archaeological contexts. Journal of Archaeological Science, 35:2434-2445

BUXÓ R., PIQUÉ, R. (eds.) 2003. La recogida de muestras en arqueobotánica: objetivos y propuestas metodológicas. Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya, Barcelona

BUXO, R. 1998 Arqueología de las plantas Crítica, Barcelona.

BUXÓ, R., PIQUÉ, R. 2008. Arqueobotànica. Los usos de las plantas en la Península Ibèrica. Barcelona: Ariel

CAPPERS, R.T.J., BEKKER, R.M.,JANS, J.E.A. 2006. Digital Seed Atlas of the Netherlands. Barkhuis Publishing, Groningen

CARRIÓN, J.S., MUNUERA, M., NAVARRO, C., SAÉZ, F. 2000. Paleoclimas e historia de la vegetación cuaternaria en España a través del análisis polínico. Viejas falacias y nuevos paradigmas. Complutum, 11: 115-142

CARRIÓN, Y. 2007. Dendrología y arqueología: las huellas del clima y de la explotación humana de la madera. VI Congreso Ibérico de Arqueometría, pp. 273-282

CARRIÓN, Y. , BADAL, E. 2004. La presencia de hongos e insectos xilófagos en el carbón arqueológico. Propuestas de interpretación. Avances en Arqueometría 2003. Cádiz: Universidad de Cádiz. pp. 98-106

CHARLES, M., BOGAARD, A., JONES, G., HODGSON, J., HALSTEAD, P. 2002. Towards the archaeobotanical identification of intensive cereal cultivation: present-day ecological investigation in the mountains of Asturias, northwest Spain. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, vol. 11, pp. 133-142

DELHON, C.  THÉRY-PARISOT, I., THIÉBAULT, S. (dir.) 2010. Des Hommes et des Plantes. Exploitation du Milieu et gestion des resources végétales de la Préhistoire à nous jours. Antibes: Éd. APDCA. pp. 323-331

DIMBLEBY, G.W. 1985 The palynology of archaeological sites. Academic Press, London.

DUFRAISSE, A. (ed.) 2006. Charcoal Analysis: New Analytical Tools and Methods for Archaeology.Oxford: BAR International Series 1483. pp. 103-108

DUFRAISSE, A. 2006. Charcoal anatomy potential, wood diameter and radial growth. In:Dufraisse, A. (ed.) Charcoal Analysis: New Analytical Tools and Methods for Archaeology.Oxford: BAR International Series 1483, pp. 47-59

ECKSTEIN, D. 2007. Human time in tree rings. Dendrochronologia, 24: 53-60

ERNST, M. , JACOMET, S. 2005. The value of the archaeobotanical analysis of desiccated plant remains from old buildings: methodological aspects and interpretation of crop weed assemblage. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 15: 45-56

FAVRE, P., JACOMET, S. 1998. Branch Wood from the lake shore settlements of Horgen Scheller, Schwitzerland: Evidence of economic specialization in the late Neolithic period. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 7: 167-178

FERRIO, J.P., ARAUS, J.L., BUXÓ, R., VOLTAS, J., BORT, J. 2005. Water management practices and climate in ancient agriculture: inferences from the stable isotope composition of archaeobotanical remains. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, vol. 14, pp. 510-517

FULLER, D.Q. 2007. Contrasting patterns in crop domestication and domestication rates: recent archaeobotanical insights from the Old World. Annals of Botany, vol. 100, no. 5, pp. 903-924

GALE, R., CUTLER, D. 2000. Plants in Archaeology. Identification manual of vegetative plantmaterials used in Europe and the southern Mediterranean to c. 1500. Kew: Westbury and Royal Botanic Gardens. 512 pp

GUSTAFSSON, S. 2000. Carbonized cereals grains and weed seeds in Prehistoric houses - an experimental perspective, Journal of Archaeological Science, vol. 27, pp. 65-70.

HAAS, J.N. 2002. 6000 years of tree pollarding and leaf-hay foddering of livestock in the Alpine Area. Austrian Journal of Forest Science, 119, Heft 3/4: 231-240

HAAS, J.N.,KARG, S.  RASMUSSEN, P. 1998. Beech leaves and twigs used as winter fodder examples from historic and prehistoric times, Environmental archaeology, vol. 1, pp. 81-86.

HASTORF, C.A. , V.S. POPPER 1988 Current Paleoethnobotany: Analytical Methods and Cultural Interpretations of Archaeological Plant Remains The University of Chicago Press

HATHER, J.G. 2000. The Identification of the Northern European Woods. A guide for archaeologists and conservators, London: Archetype Publications.

HEIZER, R. 1963. Domestic fuel in primitive societies. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute. 93 (2): 186-194

JACOMET, S.  ET AL. 2006. Identification of cereal remains from archaeological sites, Archaeobotany Lab, IPAS, Basel University

JONES, G., CHARLES, M., BOGAARD, A.  HODGSON, J. 2010. Crops and weeds: the role of weed functional ecology in the identification of crop husbandry methods, Journal of Archaeological Science, vol. 37, pp. 70-77.

LENNSTROM, H.A. , HASTORF, CH.A. 1995. Interpretation in Context: Sampling and Analysis in Paleoethnobotany. American Antiquity, 60 (4): 701-721

LÓPEZ-SÁEZ, J.A. , LÓPEZ, P. , BURJACHS, F. 2003. Arqueopalinología: síntesis crítica. Polen, 12: 5-35

LUDEMANN, T. 2008. Experimental charcoalburning with special regard to anthracological wood diameter analysis. In: G. Fiorentino, D. Magri (eds.) Charcoals from the Past: Cultural and Palaeoenvironmental Implications. Proceedings of the Third International Meeting of Anthracology, Cavallino-Lecce (Italy). Oxford: BAR International Series 1807: 147-157

LUDEMANN, T. 2010. Past fuel wood exploitation and natural forest vegetation in the Black Forest, the Vosges and neighbouring regions in western Central Europe. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 291 (1-2): 154-165

MARGUERIE, D. , HUNOT, J.-Y. 2007. Charcoal analysis and dendrology: data from archaeological sites in north-western France. Journal of Archaeological Science, 34: 1417-1433

MASON, S.L.R.  NESBITT, M. 2009. Acorns as food in southeast Turkey: implications for prehistoric subsistence in Southwest Asia in From foragers to farmers. Papers in honour of Gordon C. Hillman, eds. A. Fairbairn  E. Weiss, Oxbow Books, Oxford, pp. 71-85.

MCPARLAND, L.C. , COLLINSON, M.E. , SCOTT, A.C. , CAMPBELL, G. , VEAL, R. 2010. Is vitrification in charcoal a result of high temperature burning of wood?. Journal of Archaeological Science, 37: 2679-2687

MOORE, P.D., WEBB, J.A. AND COLLINSON, M.E. 1991. Pollen Analysis. 2nd Edition, Blackwell, Oxford.

OUT, W. 2009. Sowing the seed? Human impact and plant subsistence in Dutch wetlands during the Late Mesolithic and Early and Middle Neolithic (5500-3400 cal BC), Leiden University Press, Leiden

PEARSALL, D. 2015. Paleoethnobotany: A Handbook of Procedures. Left Coast Press: Walnut Creek.

PEÑA-CHOCARRO, L. , ZAPATA, L. , GONZÁLEZ, J.E. , IBÁÑEZ, J.J. 2000. Agricultura, alimentación y uso del combustible: aplicación de modelos etnográficos en arqueobotánica. In: C. Mata  G. Pérez (eds.) Agricultors, artesans I comerciants. III Reunió sobre economía en el mon ibèric. Saguntum Extra 3: 403-420

PIQUÉ, R. 1999. Producción y uso del combustible vegetal: una evaluación arqueològica. Treballs d’Etnoarqueologia 3, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid (1999)

REILLE, M. 1992. Pollen et spores d’europe et d’afrique du nord (Pollen and Spores of Europe and North Africa). Laboratoire de Botanique historique et Palynologie, Marseille.

SCHWEINGRUBER, F. H. 1978. Mikroskopische holzanatomie Zürcher A.G. Zug

SCHWEINGRUBER, F. H. 1990. Anatomie europäischer Hölzer. Bern und Stuttgart

SCHWEINGRUBER, F. H. 1996. Tree rings and environment dendroecology. Birmensdorf: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research- Berne: Haupt.

THÉRY-PARISOT, I. , CHABAL, L. , CHRZAVZEZ, J. 2010. Anthracology and taphonomy, from wood gathering to charcoal analysis. A review of the taphonomic processes modifying charcoal assemblages, in archaeological contexts, Palaeogeography, Paleoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 291

VALAMOTI, S.M.  CHARLES, M. 2005. Distinguishing food from fodder through the study of charred plant remains: an experimental approach to dung-derived chaff, Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, vol. 14, pp. 528-533.

VALAMOTI, S.M. 2013. Towards a distinction between digested and undigested glume bases in the archaeobotanical record from Neolithic northern Greece: A preliminary experimental investigation, Environmental archaeology, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 31-42.

VAN ZEIST, W. , WASYLIKOWA, K. i BERHE, K.E. 1991. Progres in Old World Palaeoetnobotany. Rotterdam: Balkema.

WILKINSON, K. AND STEVENS, C. 2003. Environmental Archaeology. Approaches, Techniques  Applications. Tempus, Stroud.

York: Academic Press.

 

RECURSOS DIGITALS

http://www.wsl.ch/land/products/dendro/

http://seeds.eldoc.ub.rug.nl/


 

Software

None