|
|
Faunal and floral analysis both contribute to archaeological inquiry through the study of diet and food exploitation strategies and the reconstruction of ancient environments. Several ASU faculty are leaders in faunal analysis (zooarchaeology), and have made important contributions to taphonomy, diet, zooarchaeological method, and environmental reconstruction. Our zooarchaeological interests range from the earliest stages of human evolution to small-scale societies. Floral investigations at ASU focus on palynological and archaeobotanical analyses. Our botanical studies consider a wide range of questions relating especially to vegetation change accompanying the origins and development of agriculture, human colonization of new environments and the reconstruction of past landscapes. Jointly, the assessment of plant and animal remains provide key avenues for inferring long-term human economy and ecology.
Key Faculty:
Curtis Marean
Katherine A. Spielmann
Kaye Reed
Patricia Fall (School of Geological Sciences)
© 2007, School of Human Evolution & Social Change, ASU (revised 9/4/2007)