Historic Sites

Historic Sites are as diverse as history itself. Yet, there are components that lend themselves to interpretation based on archaeobotanic evidence. First, areas of the site associated with food processing or discard are prime candidates for sampling for pollen, phytoliths, starch, and macrofloral remains. Add to this our ability to identify organic residues using the FTIR and more information emerges from these contexts. Floors are often sources of information. Dirt floors are obvious sources of remains. It is interesting that samples collected beneath wood floors often yield evidence of foods consumed, as an example from a saloon in Alaska showed. Not only did we recover evidence of foods, but parasite eggs were present, as well, providing more information concerning the clientele.

Privies provide a collection of debris that has passed through the human body, representing consumption of foods, medicine, and perhaps other items. Many physical items, as well as food debris, are also discarded in privies. Once again, the entire suite of samples (pollen, phytolith, starch, macrofloral remains, and FTIR analysis) is recommended. (See Privies Section for more detail)