PaleoResearch Institute

We’re All About Archaeobotany
&
We’re All About Business

Linda started a small business in 1972 that has grown and developed into Paleo Research Institute. The field of archaeobotany did not exist at that time. The experiment of extracting pollen from sediments and archaeological sites worked! Further, the experiment of developing and pursuing archaeobotany in a business setting worked! We continue to provide a wide range of services in the biological sciences for the archaeologist. We use our business setting to provide the best quality of research possible within our field.

We concentrate on research
• developing and refining extraction techniques
• developing and refining research designs & sampling designs
• asking new questions of data sets
• pioneering new techniques

These include analysis of:

• modern pollen transects
• pollen samples (archaeological and paleoenvironmental)
• phytolith samples (archaeological and paleoenvironmental)
• archaeoclimatic modeling
• starches
• macrofloral remains
• seeds
• AMS radiocarbon dating
• Microcharcoal extraction for AMS dating
• charcoal (including identification prior to C₁₄ dating)
• paleofeces (coprolites)
• parasite eggs
• protein residue
• diatoms
• Ceramic analysis
• Petrographic Analysis
• Micromorphology
• mineral analysis (to detect pigments such as red ochre, and for other applications)

To quote Jared Diamond (1999:25) in Guns, Germs, and Steel when he sums up his book in a single sentence “History followed different courses for different peoples because of differences among peoples’ environments, not because of biological differences among peoples themselves.” (Emphasis added). At Paleo Research Institute, we work to identify peoples’ environments – and interpret peoples’ behaviors, particularly regarding the plant portion of subsistence, within that environment.

In our business model, we generate our own overhead to purchase equipment and supplies and all expenses associated with operating a business. We’ve minimized bureaucracy!

We’ve created an office culture of curiosity, innovation, attention to detail, communication, team work, fun, sharing, participation, responsibility, and accountability. We strive to make use of everyone’s unique talents.

We accept interns who meet certain requirements.

Paleoenvironmental and paleosubsistence reconstruction, including paleonutrition, are emphasized. Reconstruction of historic landscapes and examination of site formation processes are also areas of intense interest. Large reference collections of pollen, seeds, phytoliths, wood and charcoal are maintained at the laboratory to facilitate the accurate identification of archaeological and modern materials. We use PC computers for the quantification and comparison of data, as well as report production. A computer program is used to generate stratigraphic pollen and phytolith profiles, as well as other pollen, phytolith, and occasionally macrofloral graphics. We are using a Mac to measure maize cob phytoliths, which gives us a signature of both size and shape of a population of phytoliths recovered either from individual cobs or from ceramic vessels. Shape should reflect genetics or race of maize, while size should be an indicator of the environmental conditions under which the maize grew. We are currently building a data base for maize cob phytoliths from archaeological proveniences throughout the Americas that will ultimately allow us to examine movement of people and their domesticated races of maize across the landscape and through time.

We examine material from a variety of sites ranging from Paleo-Indian to Historic in age, as well as acultural contexts. Geographic distribution of our work includes the continental United States, Alaska, Meso-America, Chile, Peru, the Circum-Mediterranean and various parts of Africa, and Hawaii and other islands in the Pacific. We also work on projects designed to identify land use or age of land and/or emerging island in legal cases. Our work includes preparation, analysis, and reporting of pollen, phytolith, starches, macrofloral remains, diatoms, mollusc, ostracod, foraminifera, and protein residue data in an integrated format. Digital copies of reports and diagrams are provided via email. When we feel it will benefit the report, we take digital images with a Nikon Coolpix 4800, or our Motic ccd imaging system, and include a CD with the image or images, if they are used in the report.

Our goal is the study of man-plant relationships, an understanding of prehistoric subsistence and economy, and a definition of both prehistoric and historic environments. We seek to make constant improvements in archaeobotanic techniques and introduce new technology into the field. We are prepared to work with archaeologists and cultural resource managers in the development of research designs to include paleoethnobotanical and paleoenvironmental questions. Further communication with archaeologists following the interpretation of ethnobotanic data will facilitate a full integration of this material with the archaeological data. Field consultation and training in sampling techniques are also offered. The final product of each project is a complete report, including pollen and/or phytolith diagram, macrofloral tables and/or diagrams, protein residue results tables, and an interpretation of the results. It is our collaboration with other researchers, most prominently Drs. Reid A. Bryson and Thomas W. Stafford, that provides the synergy necessary to continue to develop new directions.

PaleoResearch Institute Staff:

Linda Scott Cummings, Ph.D., director-palynologist-phytolith-starch analyst, has been working with pollen since 1971. Her work includes paleoenvironmental, as well as subsistence and paleonutrition interpretations. In addition to analysis of archaeological pollen and phytoliths, her experience also includes the use of a Scanning Electron Microscope. The best diet studies involve paleofeces (coprolies). Linda examines pollen, starches, phytoliths, and parasite eggs contained in these paleofeces for evidence of diet, nutrition, and health. She has worked with remains from the American Southwest, the northern Great Basin, the west coast of South America, as well as from Nubia (Africa).

If you require a copy of Lindas' vita for a RFP, please email a request.

Kathryn Puseman, charcoal and macrofloral analyst, examines macrofloral remains, emphasizing seeds and charcoal, and is responsible for analysis, interpretation, and reporting of these remains. Kathy heads the team that retrieves and identifies charcoal prior to radiocarbon dating.

 

 

If you require a copy of Kathys' vita for a RFP, please email a request.

R.A. Varney, palynologist and paleoecologist, examines pollen samples and analyzes archaeoclimatic models. R.A. also contributes geological expertise and works comfortably with pre-Pleistocene through Holocene samples. He also processes the AMS radiocarbon samples, and develops new methodologies. His interests lie primarily with the intrepretation of stratigraphic paleoenvironmental records.

 

If you require a copy of RA's vita for a RFP, please email a request.

Chad Yost , phytolith analyst and protein residue specialist, examines phytolith samples and contributes his expertise extracting samples in the lab. Chad brings specific knowledge about wild rice (see our About Wild Rice page). He developed a method for identifying the presence of wild rice in lakes and paleo lakes, which can be used in examining samples from ceramics and appropriate cultural deposits in archaeological sites.

If you require a copy of Chad's vita for a RFP, please email a request.

Karen Daniels Administrative support. Karen prepares report formats, making certain that your reports are in good shape, handles shipping and receiving (making certain that we have received what you think you sent), and provides overall support logistics. Karen corresponds with our clients to obtain more information and to keep them up to date about our progress. She is also instrumental in keeping our workplace in top shape, making our work much easier.

Paleoresearch Fellowship Members

Email
Dr. Linda Scott Cummings

Phone
(303)277-9848

Fax
(303)462-2700

Paleo Research Institute
2675 Youngfield Street
Golden, Colorado
80401