J Archaeol Sci 18 (6)

A new method for flint microwear image analysis based on fractal geometry is described. Fractal dimensions of surface images have been computed for various types of microwear. No significant correlations have been found between the fractal properties of the digital flint images and the worked materials, which suggests that there is no way of identifying worked materials from microwear polishes alone.

Any inference drawn from plant remains recovered from archaeological sites is based on the classes of such remains that are, at present, possible to identify - most commonly seeds, the hard parts of some fruits, wood and pollen. Charred remains of roots, tubers, rhizomes, corms, etc, are rarely identified despite their abundance in archaeological samples. A method for their identification is suggested and the problem of recognising and classifying these remains is discussed.