Phytolith Analysis Applied To Pleistocene-holocene Archaeological Sites In The Australian Arid Zone (british Archaeological Reports British Series)

This report explores the potential for phytolith analysis using data collected through the isolation of silica phytoliths (plant microfossils) extracted from archaeological sediment collected at three arid zone sites. The results of the analysis indicates the potential for this field of investigation in arid areas, and illuminates the vegetation history of the area, as well as filling out archaeological site histories. Front Cover Copyright Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables Preface Abstract CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION CHAPTER TWO THE BIOGENIC SILICA OF PHYTOLITHS AND PHYTOLITH ANALYSIS CHAPTER THREE THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND THEIR SETTINGS CHAPTER FOUR FIELD AND LABORATORY PROCEDURES CHAPTER FIVE CLASSIFICATION, DISTRIBUTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF PHYTOLITHS CHAPTER SIX SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF PHYTOLITH ANALYSIS CHAPTER SEVEN DISCUSSION CHAPTER EIGHT CONCLUSION REFERENCES CITED APPENDICES PLATES Application of phytolith analysis to three archaeological sites in the Australian arid zone - Puritjarra(Cleland Hill, NT), JSN (Strzelecki Desert, SA) and N145 / Allen's Cave (Nullarbor, SA); background summary of the sites; analytic procedures; phytolith classification; summary of the phytolith profiles; climate and vegetation change