People, Plants, and Animals in the Past

Flashcards covering key concepts from Chapter 9 on the study of people, plants, and animals in the past, focusing on zooarchaeology and archaeobotany.

Zooarchaeology

The study of animal remains from archaeological sites.

Zooarchaeologist

An archaeologist who specializes in the study of animal remains.

Faunal Analysis

The identification and interpretation of animal remains.

Element (in bones)

A specific skeletal part, such as cranium or femur.

Taxon

The classification category for a skeletal element, such as species or genus.

Comparative Collection

A collection of modern animal skeletons used for identification purposes.

Human Diet

Insights derived from studying the remains of hunted vs. domesticated animals.

Paleoethnobotanist

An archaeologist who analyzes plant remains to understand human-plant interactions.

Macrobotanical Remains

Nonmicroscopic plant remains such as seeds and charcoal.

Microbotanical Remains

Microscopic plant remains including pollen grains and phytoliths.

Coprolite

Desiccated feces containing plant and animal remains.

Palynology

The study of fossil pollen grains and spores.

Phytolith

Rigid, microscopic structures made of silica found in plants.

Anthracology

The study of charcoal remains to understand firewood history.

Benefits of Zooarchaeology

Helps reconstruction of diet, domestication history, and evolution.

Benefits of Archaeobotany

Helps reveal origins of agriculture and reconstruct past climates.

Axial Skeleton

The skeleton consisting of the head, vertebrae, and ribs.

Appendicular Skeleton

The skeleton consisting of limbs and girdles, excluding the axial skeleton.

Size Class I

Classification for rodent- and rabbit-size animals.

Size Class II

Classification for wolf- and pronghorn antelope-size animals.

Size Class III

Classification for mule, deer, and bighorn sheep-size animals.

Size Class IV

Classification for bison- and elk-size animals.

Size Class V

Classification for large animals like giraffes and elephants.

Ecological Preference

Factors influencing which animal species thrive in certain environments.

Origins of Agriculture

Understanding where and how agriculture began based on plant remains.

Paleoenvironment Reconstruction

Using plant remains to understand ancient environmental conditions.

Vegetation Distribution

The study of how plant life is spread across a landscape.

Firewood History

Understanding past use of wood types based on charcoal analysis.

Diet Reconstruction

Using plant and animal remains to determine past dietary practices.

Evolutionary History of Crops

Tracking the history and development of specific agricultural crops.

Desiccated Feces

Fossilized excrement that may contain remnants of diet.

Plant Imprints

Marks left by plants on ceramics and rocks which are studied.