Ricerc@Sapienza

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.