Is Traditional Pollen Analysis Obsolete?

Summary

For more than 100 years, palynologists have relied on the traditional method of pollen analysis to provide essential information on paleodiets, paleoenvironments, archaeology, and other research such as forensics. The past traditional method has focused on the of light and scanning electron microscopy and then used those results to obtain information and values which palynologists can use to interpret those. During the past decade, some scientists have turned to using other techniques such as DNA and isotopes of pollen grains to gain information about the above research goals. This paper investigates if these new techniques can in fact replace traditional pollen analysis. Ultimately, the current state of DNA and isotope research technology is unable to provide some of the most crucial information provided only by utilizing microscopic pollen analysis. Currently, the molecular and microscopic methods are complimentary. However, the relationship between the microscopic and molecular methods will need to be reevaluated as new technologies are developed.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 22462