Britannica Sources used in this answer

How do starch grains on stone tools help identify ancient foods?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Domesticated yaks carrying supplies in colorful bundles walk along a rocky mountain trail toward Everest Base Camp, with snow-covered peaks in the background in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal. — Domestication Domesticated yaks (*Bos grunniens*) carrying supplies to an Everest base camp in Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu region, Nepal.

Starch grains are highly valuable in archaeology because they are distinctive and remain preserved for long periods on the surfaces of artifacts, such as stone tools and pots.1

By recovering and identifying these microscopic grains, researchers can determine the specific types of plants that were processed or consumed by ancient populations. This method is particularly significant because it often serves as the only way to identify certain food remains—such as potatoes—that might otherwise leave no trace in the archaeological record. Along with phytolith analysis and palynology, the study of starch grains allows scientists to reconstruct the diets and agricultural practices of ancient societies.1