Recent research in post-harvest traditions in human prehistory: Old and New World palaeoethnobotanical approaches to linking the archaeology and ethnobotany of plant processing

CAPPARELLI AYLEN; VALAMOTI SOULTANA; WOLLSTONECROFT MICHÉLE

Traditions and transformations in Ethnobotany

Cyted, Risapret

Lugar: San Salvador de Jujuy; Año: 2010; p. 104 - 104

Post-harvest research is an emerging field within ethnoarchaeological investigation, encompassing new approaches to the study of ancient food traditions.The papers presented in section 3.2 of this volume bring together post-harvest research of three regions of the world. These eight papers communicate the results of groundbreaking archaeobotanical research into the postharvest activities of prehistoric societies. New methodological and interpretive approaches to investigating food processing in archaeological contexts are presented. Previously overlooked variables are identified and explored including postharvest skills and technology as well as the functional properties of the edible plants in question. The papers further discuss the significance of post-harvest practices in the decisions of ancient peoples, e.g. resource-selection, technological and land-use choices, social, economic and ecological change, and human diet health and disease prevention.