Palynological data can be a significant tool to archaeologists in explaining the complex relationships between man and its environment. The extraction of palynomorphs from resin, pitch, tar and other plant exudates in an archaeological context presents a unique challenge because of the insolubility of these materials in water-miscible solvents. These organic materials appear and are preserved in archeological sites from Prehistory to Medieval and Modern times, however they are seldom analysed. This project studies various samples of resinous materials from archeological sites that will be treated and examined in a series of case studies. The condition of fossil pollen in a sample will determine the type of chemical and/or mechanical processing techniques that can be used safely and effectively. This relatively new application in the palynological investigation has the potential for further systematic developments. The project PAREA promotes research and scientific cooperation among professionals from different scientific background, including environmental biology, archaeology, chemistry and geology. It is an international collaboration between the Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome and HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Portugal.
Ancient organic material originating from plant exudates can be overlooked and not studied in detail unless preserved and uncovered in particularly attractive context (e.g. as a mummification agent). This stems from the general state of preservation of organics in archeological context but also because these substances can literary be (almost) invisible. Within this project we would like to bring to light and emphasize the importance of thorough study of archaeological organic resinous materials employing an inter-disciplinary, systematical and experimental approach. Methodologies for the dissolution of resinous materials and other ancient plant exudates, is a relatively new application for pollen research and an area where there is a potential for future growth. Experimentation with palynological processing procedures indicate that commonly used methodologies, sprouting from the earlier established research of the soil samples from geological cores, should be reviewed and adapted to the specific type of materials studied, encompassing a wider range of resinous materials and their mixtures present in archeological sites. The research will take into consideration the state of preservation of ancient materials, paleoenvironmental conditions surrounding the archaeological site, diverse composition and origin of mixed resinous materials and condition of fossil pollen in a sample to determine the most appropriate type of chemical and/or mechanical processing techniques that can be used safely and effectively. This is a rather new approach in the palynological investigation, and it has a potential for further methodological developments as a contribution to ever-developing archeological material sciences.