Services

Identification and Analysis

I identify, analyze, and interpret plants recovered from archaeological sites. Plant material typically consists of seeds, fruits, wood, and sometimes leaves, roots, and fibers. Plant parts may have been preserved through carbonization or dessication.

I use a Nikon SMZ-645 stereozoom microscope with a 2x auxillary lens which brings the zoom range to 8-100x magnification.

Quantification, Statistics, Interpretation

Typical quantification of plant remains starts with counts and weights. Ubiquity (how many samples out of the total contain a particular plant type) is a common measure used by paleoethnobotanists to compare plant assemblages among sites. Density (# of specimens per liter) and ratios (e.g. amount of nutshell to wood) are additional methods available to characterize an assemblage. In addition, I can calculate richness and diversity (Shannon Index), and use correspondance analysis to understand the distribution of plants across a site, time period, or region.

Flotation

I will perform small scale flotation in my laboratory upon special request ($40 per hour). I use a simple bucket method (as described in Pearsall 2000). On-site consultation for setting up a flotation system is also available.

Fees for services

Fees are based on already floated samples and may vary depending on the size of the samples or the type of project. Please contact karla@paleoethnobotany.com for a quote or additional information. Below are typical prices.

Indentification of plant material, quantification, analysis (including tables and figures), interpretation, and full written report: $200 per sample.

Identification and quantification (e.g. counts and weights) with a basic written report: $150 per sample.

Qualitative identification only (e.g. a plant list): $100 per sample.

Flotation of samples costs $40 per hour.

Please click here for a printable PDF fiyer of my services.

Email: karla@paleoethnobotany.com