Ethnopalynology is a specialty within palynology that centers specifically on past
and present palynological data related to humans. Palynological data may be a
significant tool to archaeologists if the applications and limitations are clearly
understood. The following is a compilation of historical references, information on the
processing procedures used in pollen research, the types of samples that are appropriate
for palynological analysis within the discipline of archaeology, and examples of how
palynological data can answer some questions regarding diet, the environment, building
materials and chronological data. An extensive literature review was performed and
revealed incongruities and areas that could be improved upon. This dissertation is a
result of that research. Experimentation with palynological processing procedures
indicate that commonly used methodologies may be flawed and should be reviewed
regularly. New methodologies in the dissolution of resins, or plant exudates, is a
relatively new application for pollen research and an area where there is a potential for
future growth. Palynological applications to archaeology are beginning to expand in previously unknown directions. The extrication of pollen from plant exudates or resin is
only one new area of research. This and other avenues are still waiting to be explored.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/85781 |
| Date | 10 October 2008 |
| Creators | Marshall, Dawn Marie |
| Contributors | Bryant, Vaughn M. |
| Publisher | Texas A&M University |
| Source Sets | Texas A and M University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Book, Thesis, Electronic Dissertation, text |
| Format | electronic, born digital |
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