Dear list members,
Within the waterlogged deposits of several Roman structures (in F and
CH) we have found plant macrofossils with a distinct type of
preservation. The characteristics of this type of preservation are a
dark brown to black colour (but they are not charred) and a hard
structure (just as mineralised macrofossils but they are definitively
different). In addition, findings of mineralised plant macrofossils
within waterlogged deposits are hardly reported in the literature. It
is clear that these plant macrofossils/organic remains have undergone
a transformation, it is not clear which chemical process could be
responsible for this.
Useful to know might be that the plant assemblage recovered in these
deposits clearly refers to latrine deposits and faecal remains. It
consists mainly of waterlogged plant macrofossils and this other type
of preservation.
In addition, leather has been recovered from these deposits.
Therefore, could it be related to tannery?
In the attachment I add a picture of Vicia faba fragments with this
type of preservation.
As I have not found any literature on this type of preservation, I was
wondering how to refer to it. Does anyone know of a term for this kind
of preservation?
Many thanks.
Kind regards,
Patricia Vandorpe
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