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Starch Granules as Markers of Diet and Behavior

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Handbook for the Analysis of Micro-Particles in Archaeological Samples

Part of the book series: Interdisciplinary Contributions to Archaeology ((IDCA))

Abstract

Starch granules, the energy-storage molecules produced by plants, are increasingly used in archaeological studies as markers of human diet and food processing. While starch granules are organic in nature, their semi-crystalline structure likely contributes to their preservation in some protected archaeological contexts, such as within dental calculus or pottery crusts. However, many naturally-occurring and human-induced processes can damage or destroy starches, so a detailed understanding of how starches are formed and ultimately preserved is necessary to accurately translate the starch record into meaningful statements about human behavior.

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  1. HARVEST Project, Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Amanda G. Henry

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    Amanda G. Henry

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Henry, A.G. (2020). Starch Granules as Markers of Diet and Behavior. In: Henry, A.G. (eds) Handbook for the Analysis of Micro-Particles in Archaeological Samples. Interdisciplinary Contributions to Archaeology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42622-4_5

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