Effective Domestication on Phytolith Morphometrics

Authors

Robert Ehlers, Brigham Young University
Dr. Terry Ball, Brigham Young University

Keywords

domestication, phytolith morphometrics, soil, silica deposits

College

Religious Education

Department

Ancient Scripture

Abstract

Phytoliths are silica deposits in plants that remain long-term in the soil after a plant dies. Phytoliths have unique characteristics that can be used to identify the phytolith’s original species. Phytolith morphometrics is a tool in archaeobotany that is used to identify ancient environments and landscapes. This study set out to discover if domestication of plants change phytolith morhpometrics. With identification of a probable effect of domestication on phytolith morphometrics, scientists can better identify periods of time when a plant species was domesticated. The research results can be a unique tool in identifying moments in history when a civilization began domesticating plants. Such knowledge is important in understanding ancient civilizations.

Recommended Citation

Ehlers, Robert and Ball, Dr. Terry (2013) "Effective Domestication on Phytolith Morphometrics," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1712.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1712