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How do animal bones and plant remains help archaeologists study ancient farming and animal husbandry?

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Archaeology Archaeologists mapping their finds at Pachacamac, Peru, an Indigenous town occupied from approximately 200 bce to 1532 ce, when it was sacked by conquistadors under the command of Francisco Pizarro.

Archaeologists rely on animal and plant remains to reconstruct ancient agricultural practices and animal husbandry, as these materials provide direct evidence of human interaction with the environment.1

Animal Remains

Animal bones are a primary source of data for studying past livestock management. Because they are robust, they are frequently used for radiocarbon dating to establish a chronological framework for archaeological sites. Beyond dating, faunal remains undergo morphological, genetic, and biochemical analysis to determine species, health, and domestication status. For example, evidence of specific breeding for meat or milk production, as seen in ancient Egyptian cattle, helps researchers understand the sophistication of animal husbandry and the economic roles animals played in society.12

Plant Remains

Plant remains are often recovered from ancient hearths and middens, where charring preserves them for identification. Archaeologists retrieve these by floating sediment in water, allowing the remains to be collected for qualitative and quantitative analysis.1

Additional insights into plant use and domestication are gained through:
* Palynology: The study of pollen and spores, which helps delineate regional vegetation and agricultural activities.13
* Phytolith Analysis: Examining microscopic silica bodies that retain the shape of plant cells, allowing for the identification of specific plant types.1
* Starch Grain Analysis: Recovered from tools or pottery, these grains are often the only way to identify certain food crops, such as potatoes.1