The University of Arkansas Paleoethnobotany Lab focuses on understanding the relationships between cultural keystone species and past people, specifically drawing on archaeological methods and data to inform contemporary livelihoods. We primarily work with past people-plant relationships, although we are also dedicated to exploring the dynamics between humans, landscapes, and other biological organisms across space and time. We are strongly committed to collaborative, inclusive, and multi-vocal archaeology and anthropology, and to bridging gaps between cultural resource management, academia, and the communities who have lived in North America since time immemorial.
The lab is set up for the identification and analysis of archaeobotanical and ethnobiological materials. Our lab features Leica microscopes and imaging systems for the analysis and documentation of a variety of archaeological remains and comparative specimens. We prioritize macrobotanical and starch processing, extraction, and identification. We also work with the Arkansas Nano & Bio Materials Characterization Facility on scanning electron microscopy analysis of plant materials.
Our botanical comparative collections include seeds, wood, geophytes, starch, and herbarium voucher specimens, with a regional focus on the North American Pacific Northwest and the Eastern Woodlands. We are in the process of building this collection and imaging these reference materials. Once imaged these will be uploaded to this space and the Northwest Native Plants website.
We welcome collaborators and students from all backgrounds and interests into the lab. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together.