Starch analysis or starch grain analysis is a technique that is useful in archaeological research in determining plant taxa on a microscopic level. It can also be used in day-to-day life by specialists within the pharmaceutical and food industries in order to determine taxa origins and food quality.[1] Specifically in regards to archaeology though, the identification of starch grains, through this context is done by comparison identification, in which several attributes of the grains are compared to other known samples in order to determine the type.[2] This comparison technique, when done microscopically allows for the specific taxa identification of starch grains found on specific artifacts, such as ground stone tools, within soils, through dental calculus, or found in reference to ceramic vessels.[1] Starch grain analysis can be helpful as a supplement to other forms of study to understanding tool use, agricultural activities, as well as other plant based subsistence strategies, and to reconstruct plant based diets throughout time.[3]
- ^ a b Kovárník, Jaromír; Benes, Jaromír (11 September 2018). "Microscopic Analysis of Starch Grains and its Application in the Archaeology of the Stone Age". Interdisciplinaria Archaeologica. IX (1/2018): 83–93. doi:10.24916/iansa.2018.1.6.
- ^ Tao, Dawei; Wu, Yan; Guo, Zhizhong; Hill, David; Wang, Changsui (August 22, 2011). "Starch grain analysis for grounds ton tools from Neolithic Baiyinchanghan tie: implications for their function in Northeast China". Journal of Archaeological Science. 38 (12): 3577–3583. doi:10.1016/j.jas.2011.08.028.
- ^ Eubanks, Jill (2018). "Experimental Ground Stone Tools, Resource Processing and Starch Grain Analysis: Preliminary Results". SCA Proceedings: Far Western Anthropological Research Group Inc. 32: 287–294.