Integrated Microscopy Approaches in Archaeobotany 2019

The project gave a research presentation at the 4th Integrated Microscopy Approaches in Archaeobotany workshop.

Title: Differential preservation of plant remains and organic materials within the buried archaeology at medieval castle sites across Europe

Rowena Banerjea, Hans Huisman, Cristiano Nicosia, Quentin Borderie, Irène Béguier, Jesper Colenberg

Abstract: The buried archaeology at castle sites can often be overlooked in conservation and management strategies in favour of standing remains. Geoarchaeology, and more specifically micromorphology, is an important research strand for identifying potential threats to the buried archaeology by understanding the different burial environments and, the effects that conservation and renovation work have on the preservation of buried sediments and materials.

In this context, this paper examines the factors driving the differential preservation of plant remains and the identification of organic materials in a variety of forms at medieval castle sites across Europe in Estonia, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain. In particular, the paper examines the modification of a range of plant-derived components as a result of post-depositional processes.