ABSTRACT

The parenchymous remains of roots and tubers are increasingly becoming recognized as an important category of plant remain alongside seeds, fruits and wood charcoal. Identification is however frequently viewed as problematical and such important indicators of past diet are often left unidentified. This book describes the full range of anatomical and morphological characters used in the identification of the parenchymous remains of roots and tubers. Each of the characters is illustrated by photographs of modern and archaeological plant tissues and by line drawings. Further sections of the book also deal with the examination of archaeological tissues and the preparation of modern plant tissue reference collections.

chapter 1|4 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|14 pages

Gross morphology

chapter 3|6 pages

Surface morphology

chapter 4|24 pages

Parenchyma

chapter 5|12 pages

The vascular tissues of the stem

chapter 6|6 pages

Root tissues

chapter 7|4 pages

Sclerenchyma

chapter 8|16 pages

Practical methods