ABSTRACT
This chapter presents new evidence from Cuddie Springs in seed grinding, supporting a Pleistocene origin for seed grinding on this continent. Slides were prepared by grinding starch samples in a glass mortar and pestle, smearing on a dry slide, and then mounting either in Karo syrup or Permount, and sealing the coverslip with nail polish. The phytoliths from the grindstone reflect a combination of use and soil admixture based on the diversity of the assemblage. Spiculate sphere phytolith forms dominate against a background soil component including evidence of wet conditions. Vegetation surveys were undertaken at different times of the year around Cuddie Springs in collaboration with ethnobotanist Dr. Beth Gott, to compile species lists and to collect reference material. The size of the starch grains from Nardoo shows great variation in size with environmental conditions, but the grains are so distinctive in morphology that they cannot be confused for other likely fern species.
