(in Polish) Introduction to Archaeobotany 2800-AKBOT
Archaeobotany is a part of bioarchaeology and environmental archaeology. The main tool of
archaeobotany is an analysis of plant macro-remains derived from archaeological layers. It gives
information of plant taxa, their biology and ecology which allows palaeoeconomical and environmental
interpretation of the plant assemblages. Archaeobotanical plant remains are also known as ecofacts
and can be used as a source of material for other methods used in archaeology and natural sciences
such as morphometric-geometric, radio and stable isotopes, aDNA.
The following topics will be discussed:
1. Introduction to sampling and recovery techniques
2. Carbonised and waterlogged plant macro-remains - a brief introduction
3. Selected issues of plant ecology
4. Ethnobotanical and written sources
5. Methods of interpretation of archaeobotanical plant assemblages
6. Plant domestication and migrations in the context of climate fluctuations
7. Plant remains as a source of material for other analyses (radiocarbon dating, diet, evolutionism)
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
The student has a brief knowledge of the place and importance of archaeobotany in the system of
natural and social sciences; has structured knowledge of archaeobotany including basic terminology,
methods and theories; has detailed knowledge about the use of archaeobotanical methods in
bioarchaeology and archaeology; is aware of the unique value of archaeobotany and its role in
reconstructing palaeoeconomy and palaeoenvironment of past societes.
Assessment criteria
The student will present a short critical review (2 - 5 pages) of a chosen archaeobotanical subject
based on the given or selected literature, focused on archaeobotany as a tool in reconstruction of past
human lives. The final assessment will be based on the discussed arguments raised in the essay, in
the context of knowledge acquired during the course.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: