Article
Understanding the Carbonization and Preservation of Sunflower and Sumpweed Remains
Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology
(2008)
Abstract
In this paper, I describe important chemical and physical properties of carbonized sunflower and sumpweed achenes and examine how those properties influence both the preservation and interpretation of these remains. Specifically, I designed a series of laboratory experiments to understand better the changes in chemical composition associated with the carbonization of achenes and to evaluate more thoroughly the use of measurements as a method to identify morphological changes linked with domestication. I also discuss how other factors, including the natural environment and processing technologies, may affect achene size and preservation.
Disciplines
Publication Date
January 1, 2008
DOI
10.1179/mca.2008.009
Citation Information
Wright, P. J. (2008). Understanding the Carbonization and Preservation of Sunflower and Sumpweed Remains. Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology, 33(2), 139–153. https://doi.org/10.1179/mca.2008.009