Event Title
Extraction and Analysis of Starch Residues Utilizing a Heavy Liquid Technique from Native American Woodland Ceramics
Presentation Type
Oral and/or Visual Presentation
Presenter Major(s)
Chemistry
Mentor Information
Elizabeth Arnold, Janet Brashler, Mark Schwartz
Department
Anthropology
Location
Kirkhof Center 2266
Start Date
10-4-2013 12:00 AM
End Date
10-4-2013 12:00 AM
Keywords
Culture, Life Science
Abstract
Pottery samples from GVSU archaeological excavations were processed using a heavy liquid method to extract starch grains. The residues will be compared microscopically with modern forms of starch under polarized light. Emily Teall and Dr. Arnold are concurrently analyzing the phytolith extraction of samples. The goal of the research is to identify what foods were being stored and processed. Pottery is from Dr. Brashler's excavations at Prison Farm, a Middle Woodland site (2 sherds, c. 10 BCE 80 CE), Zemaitis, an Early Late Woodland site (4 sherds, c. 500-700 CE), and South Flats, a Late Woodland site (1 sherd, c. 1400 CE). The analysis of samples from grinding stones from the site of Hibermerdon Tepe, located in southeastern Turkey (c. 2000-1500 BCE) was also conducted for comparative purposes. The extraction of the starches from each sample and the comparison results will be presented here.
Extraction and Analysis of Starch Residues Utilizing a Heavy Liquid Technique from Native American Woodland Ceramics
Kirkhof Center 2266
Pottery samples from GVSU archaeological excavations were processed using a heavy liquid method to extract starch grains. The residues will be compared microscopically with modern forms of starch under polarized light. Emily Teall and Dr. Arnold are concurrently analyzing the phytolith extraction of samples. The goal of the research is to identify what foods were being stored and processed. Pottery is from Dr. Brashler's excavations at Prison Farm, a Middle Woodland site (2 sherds, c. 10 BCE 80 CE), Zemaitis, an Early Late Woodland site (4 sherds, c. 500-700 CE), and South Flats, a Late Woodland site (1 sherd, c. 1400 CE). The analysis of samples from grinding stones from the site of Hibermerdon Tepe, located in southeastern Turkey (c. 2000-1500 BCE) was also conducted for comparative purposes. The extraction of the starches from each sample and the comparison results will be presented here.