Abstract
In this work, several attributes of the internal morphology of drupaceous fruits found in the archaeological site Monte Castelo (Rondonia, Brazil) are analyzed by means of two different imaging methods. The aim is to explore similarities and differences in the visualization and analytical properties of the images obtained via High Resolution Light Microscopy and X-ray micro-computed tomography (X-ray MicroCT) methods. Both provide data about the three-layered pericarp (exo-, meso- and endocarp) of the studied exemplars, defined by cell differentiation, vascularisation, cellular contents, presence of sclerenchyma cells and secretory cavities. However, it is possible to identify a series of differences between the information that can be obtained through each of the methods. These variations are related to the definition of contours and fine details of some characteristics, their spatial distribution, size attributes, optical properties and material preservation. The results obtained from both imaging methods are complementary, contributing to a more exhaustive morphological study of the plant remains. X-ray MicroCT in phase-contrast mode represents a suitable non-destructive analytic technique when sample preservation is required.
Highlights
On the other hand, plant remains from archaeological sites are not always recognizable through their external morphological characteristics, for reasons that include the presence of similar traits between different species, morphological changes induced by taphonomic processes, and other issues which hinder the identification of specimens
Both High Resolution Light Microscopy (HRLM) and X-ray MicroCT longitudinal sections show a three-layered internal structure marked by straight differences between cellular components (Fig. 3)
The high resolution images obtained by both techniques were able to evidence each of the studied morphological traits in the archaeobotanical samples from Monte Castelo
Summary
Plant remains from archaeological sites are not always recognizable through their external morphological characteristics, for reasons that include the presence of similar traits between different species, morphological changes induced by taphonomic processes, and other issues which hinder the identification of specimens. Non-destructiveness is one of the most remarkable advantages of this method and its relevance increases when samples are rare, non-reproducible or very fragile For this reason, X-ray MicroCT has been suggested as a suitable and useful procedure for applications on historical, artistic and culturally valuable objects made from diverse m aterials[5]. Several ethnographic and historical items manufactured on raw plant materials have been studied by X-Ray MicroCT i.e.6–8 Archaeological application of this technique on plant remains includes the analysis of contaminants in charred remains dated by radiocarbon9, dendrochronology[10], wood characterization i.e.11,12 and identification of carpological r emains[13,14]
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