Archaeobotany

Microscope photograph of the natural structures inside a wood artifact (EVER 89817)

Photo by Lee Newsom

Archaeobotany is the study of plant remains from archeological sites. Archaeobotanists study plant remains ranging from microscopic pollen and seeds to wood canoes. Research partner Dr. Lee Newsom of Flagler College examined a possible wood pole and a wood shaft found inside a socketed bone point.

Newsom determined that the possible wood pole was made from a southern pine (Pinus sp.) tree. This type of pine grows locally in the Everglades area. She determined that the wooden shaft from one of the socketed bone points (EVER 80761) was made from West Indian Mahogany (Swietenia mahogoni) wood, which grows in a fairly small area of south Florida.

Studying the Archeological Site

  • Vibracore in operation at the Anhinga Trail archeological site.
    Vibracoring

    SEAC archeologist, Dr. Margo Schwadron conducted a survey of a large area around the site.

  • View of bone used by the Reflectance Transformation Imaging tool
    Reflectance Transformation Imaging

    Reflectance transformation imaging is a way of photographing an object under different angles and then manipulating the images.

  • CT Scanning Artifacts
    Computed Tomography

    Computed Tomography (CT) scans are used to help archeologists to examine the bone tools.

  • Close-up of a bobcat skull from a comparative collection.
    Zooarcheology

    Zooarcheologists study animal bones, teeth, shells, horn, and other animal parts.

Last updated: July 16, 2024

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