| Title: |
Mineralised Plant and Invertebrate Remains: a guide to the identification of calcium phosphate replaced remains |
| Series: |
Historic England Research Reports
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| Downloads: |
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nmr1-515498_211238.pdf (15 MB)
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Download
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| Licence Type: |
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International Licence
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| DOI |
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| Publication Type: |
Report (in Series)
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| Abstract: |
The aim of this photographic guide is to assist archaeobotanists and archaeoentomologists in the identification of calcium-phosphate replaced mineralised biological remains that are of archaeological significance.High quality photographic images (magnifications of x6 to x80) of identifiable plant and insect taxa are presented, primarily using mineralised archaeological material, including high magnification images of specific structures and cell layers (magnifications of up to x160). Variations of potential preservation are illustrated where possible, although many more variations can be expected to be found in archaeological deposits.The guide highlights identification criteria, provides examples of archaeological sites which yielded mineralised material and information on modern ecology, and outlines the interpretative value of each taxon. This first edition provides information on some of the
most commonly found mineralised taxa from cesspits,
drains and middens dating from the prehistoric to
post-medieval periods. It is envisaged that additional
pages will be added, and some pages may be
updated, as further well-preserved reference material
becomes available. The authors, therefore, would
like to hear from colleagues who are willing to lend
mineralised botanical and entomological material for
photographic purposes. We are particularly eager to
receive information about plant and insect remains
whose identifications can be confirmed due to the
preservation of key characteristics, for example where
fruit pericarps are waterlogged and internal structures
are mineralised. This volume only contains insects
that have been found mineralised from a range of
deposits by David Smith or have been published in the
wider literature (the exception is the beetle grain pests
which have not at this stage been found but it is only
a matter of time). As Smith (2013) has shown there is
a wide range of insects that could potentially occur in
mineralised deposits. Both Girling (1985) and Kenward
(1999) have recorded mineralised human ectoparasites from a variety of deposits in York and London. This includes the human flea (Pulex irritans L.), the body louse (Pediculus humanus L.) and the pubic louse (Pthirus pubis L.). Descriptions and illustrations of these finds are included in the respective publications. As more work is undertaken on insect and plant remains from mineralised deposits additional taxa could be incorporated into the guide |
| Author: |
Wendy J Carruthers
David N Smith
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| Publisher: |
Historic England
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| Year of Publication: |
2020
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| Locations: |
| Country: |
England |
| County: |
Hampshire |
| District: |
Southampton |
| Parish: |
Southampton, unparished area |
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Grid Reference: 441899, 111099 (Easting, Northing)
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| Created Date: |
04 Jul 2023 |
