Abstract
Open science is an integral part of all scientific research, but the extent of open science practices in phytolith research is unknown. Phytolith analysis examines silica bodies that are initially formed within and between plant cells during the life of the plant but become deposited in sediments once the plant dies. The use of phytoliths in archaeobotanical and palaeoecological studies has been increasing in recent years resulting in an upsurge in publications. The aims of this article are to assess open science practices in phytolith research by reviewing data and metadata sharing, and open access, in a sample of journal articles containing primary phytolith data from 16 prominent archaeological and palaeoecological journals (341 articles). This study builds on similar studies conducted for zooarchaeology (Kansa <em>et al</em>. 2020) and macro-botanical remains (Lodwick 2019). This study shows that 53% of papers shared data in any format but only 4% of papers contained reusable data, 74% included some pictures of phytolith morphotypes for identification purposes, 69% had a fully described method, 47% used the International code for phytolith nomenclature (ICPN 1.0) and only 13% of articles were open access. Steps forward are then proposed, including planning for open projects, making more articles openly accessible and implementing the FAIR data principles, to use as a starting point for discussions in the wider phytolith and archaeological communities to develop guidelines for greater integration of open science practices.
Highlights
WHAT ARE PHYTOLITHS AND HOW ARE THEY USED IN ARCHAEOLOGY AND PALAEOECOLOGY? Phytoliths are silica-bodies that form within plant cells during the lifetime of plants (Madella & Lancelotti 2012)
Phytolith research is in a period of expansion and this can clearly be seen when compared to the number of macro-botanical articles in the same period (n = 239)
There are a number of positive findings from this first assessment of open science practices in phytolith research, such as the formative work on standardisation by the International Phytolith Society (IPS) that has resulted in the increasing use of the ICPN and the majority of researchers providing pictures to aid validation of identifications
Summary
WHAT ARE PHYTOLITHS AND HOW ARE THEY USED IN ARCHAEOLOGY AND PALAEOECOLOGY? Phytoliths are silica-bodies that form within plant cells during the lifetime of plants (Madella & Lancelotti 2012). Monosilicic acid (H4SiO4) in groundwater is absorbed by plant roots and is eventually deposited as solid silica dioxide (SiO2) in and between plants cells, forming distinctive shapes (morphotypes). These shapes can be used to identify plant tissues and plant taxa to different taxonomic levels. Phytoliths are preserved over long time periods and can be readily found in archaeological and palaeoecological samples.
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