Archaeobotany and Paleoenvironment

Description

Presentation: This module is dedicated to the principles and methods of archaeobotanical disciplines: palynology (pollen and spores), phytolithology (phytoliths), anthracology (charcoal), and carpology (fruits and seeds). After reviewing basic concepts in botany and plant ecology necessary for understanding archaeobotanical data, the module presents archaeobotanical methods, from field sampling to data interpretation, including analytical techniques. A practical laboratory session will introduce students to the taxonomic identification of charcoal. Two lectures focus on vegetation evolution during the Pleistocene and Holocene, influenced by climate change and human activities. Finally, a field trip will introduce students to botanical identification basics and observation of human impact on vegetation. Course coordinator: Lydie Dussol. In-person: 12 hours of lectures, 12 hours of tutorials. Prerequisites: Before the course, I must have basic knowledge in biology and plant ecology. These are presented in Course 1, which should be prepared before the module starts. Watch the video "The professions of archaeology: archaeobotanist" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QOA9rA6IaA. Objectives: By the end of this course, I should be able to explain the fundamental principles...