How should I care for archaeobotanical remains?
Archaeobotanical remains can be anything from a tiny fragment of wood, to seeds, soils, nuts and plant specimens. These materials are generally collected in flotation samples and should be analyzed by a professional archaeobotanist. Generally, archaeobotanical remains do not require conservation and in many instances conservation can impair future analysis. If long-term storage of such materials is necessary it is best to consult an archaeobotanist. Additional Resources: Rose, C. & Torres, A. (1992) Storage of Natural History Collections: Ideas and Practical Solutions. New Haven: Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections Copyright © 2006 Colleen Brady, Molly Gleeson, Melba Myers, Claire Peachey, Betty Seifert, Howard Wellman, Emily Williams, Lisa Young. All rights reserved. Commercial use or publication of text and graphic images is prohibited. Authors reserve the right to update this information as appropriate.