Dear collegues,
We have rcently carried out a seed study in an Iron Age archaeological
site in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain), in a Mediterranean
environment.
In one of the analyzed archeological layers, a large assemblage of
uncarbonised seeds has been recovered, with a lerge number of
uncarbonised seeds of Chenopodium cf. muralis, Fumana cf. officinalis,
Mercurialis annua and Beta sp. All these taxa could correspond to a
ruderal plant community.
In this studied sedimentological layer, evidences of human occupation
are obvious as the sediments contain pottery, bones, charcoal...
However, this layer corresponds to an open air structure of the main
building.
Our question concerns the taphonomy of this seed asemblage as we are
considering the hypoythesis of a human influence but we want to
evaluate the possible influence of the insect activity, such as ants,
in the formation of this seed assemblages in soils.
We would apreciate any information, publications, personal experiences
and suggestions about the composition and taphonomy of this kind of
assemblage to confirm or discart this possibility.
Thank you in advance for your interest and collaboration,
Best wishes,
Llorenç Picornell
Santiago Riera
Giovanna Bosi
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