Title

Assessing uncarbonized seeds from open-air sites in mesic environments: An example from Southern Illinois

Abstract

Research was conducted to assess the significance of uncarbonized seeds in subploughzone archaeological deposits at a prehistoric site in southern Illinois. Discussions include modern vegetation studies, seed anatomical observations, comparisons of uncarbonized and carbonized seeds, seed germination experimentation, and descriptions of deposits, excavation procedures, and flotation methods with respect to the possibility of modern seed contamination. Whereas some uncarbonized seeds may represent ancient deposition, their antiquity is difficult to prove. However, various lines of research imply that many, if not all, uncarbonized seeds from open-air sites in mesic regions represent more recent, nonculturally deposited contaminants.

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-4403(82)90009-7

Keywords

carrier mills, contamination, crab orchard/middle woodland, dispersal, flotation, germination, late woodland, longevity, palaeoethnobotany, Southern Illinois, spermatic tissue, testae, uncarbonized seeds, viability

Publication Date

1-1-1982

Journal Title

Journal of Archaeological Science

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