Mind the Gap: Maize Phytoliths, Macroremains, and Processing Strategies in Southern New England 2500–500 BP

Dotzel, Krista

doi:10.1007/s12231-021-09516-5

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 42 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…New theoretical and methodological approaches are needed as future research addresses the possible uses of early maize and refines the temporal gap between the presence of maize in the micro versus macro form. Understanding preservation biases as related to Middle Woodland processing and cooking methods is a critical component (Barton 2009; Crowther 2012; Dotzel 2021; Haslam 2004; Raviele 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early Maize (Zea mays) in the North American Central Plains: The Microbotanical Evidence

Adair

Duncan

Young³

et al. 2022

Am. Antiq.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Artifacts, including ceramics, ground stone, and soil samples, as well as dental calculus, recovered from sites in the eastern North American central Plains were submitted to multiple laboratories for analysis of microbotanical remains. Direct accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) dates of 361–197 cal BC provide evidence for the earliest use of maize (Zea mays ssp. mays) in this region. Squash (Cucurbita sp.), wild rice (cf. Zizania spp.), and palm (Arecaceae sp.) microremains were also found. This research adds to the growing evidence of the importance of microbotanical analysis in documenting plant use and in the identification of early maize. The combined data on early maize from the eastern Plains adds to our understanding of the timing and dispersal of this crop out of the American Southwest. Alternative explanations for the adoption and early use of maize by eastern central Plains communities include its value as a secondary resource, as an addition to an existing farming strategy, or as a component of Middle Woodland rituals.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early Maize (Zea mays) in the North American Central Plains: The Microbotanical Evidence

Adair

Duncan

Young³

et al. 2022

Am. Antiq.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Ultimately the two lines of evidence need to be reconciled as suggested by Dotzel (2021). This will require additional laboratory and actualistic experimentation to determine under what conditions and contexts maize micro- (Crowther 2012;Raviele 2011) andmacrobotanical (e.g., King 1987;Dezendorf 2013;Whyte 2019) remains preserve in the archaeological record.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One such region is temperate northeastern North America (hereafter Northeast), one of the last regions where maize was adopted, but where it became the main crop of agricultural systems after AD 1000-1300 (Hart and Lovis 2013). Resolving the timing of the crop's adoption is necessary to anchor maize's histories in this region and has been a long-standing focus of research that is yet to be resolved (e.g., Emerson et al 2020;Dotzel 2021;Simon et al 2021;Stewart 2021). Current microbotanical evidence from Michigan (Schultz site; Albert et al 2018), New York (Vinette site; Hart et al 2007a), and Québec (Place-Royale site; Gates St-Piere and Thompson 2015) (Figure 1), and potentially southern New England (Dotzel 2021), in the form of phytoliths and starch recovered from accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS)-dated cooking residues adhering to pottery sherd interior surfaces indicates use by at least cal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Dating of Meadowcroft Rockshelter Maize

Hart

Adovasio

2022

Radiocarbon

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Meadowcroft Rockshelter in southwestern Pennsylvania is best known for its pre-Clovis occupation. Potentially important for later times is the recovery of maize macrobotanical remains from higher strata dating as early as the 4th century BC based on radiometric radiocarbon (14C) dates on wood charcoal. These remains have been considered to be potentially as old as the earliest microbotanical evidence for maize in Michigan, New York and Québec recovered from directly dated charred cooking residues adhering to pottery. The results of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating 17 samples from maize specimens from all Meadowcroft strata producing maize, indicate that the specimens originated from historical use of the shelter, most likely after AD 1800. These results further emphasize the need to obtain direct dates on maize macrobotanical remains recovered from early contexts prior to the development and common use of AMS dating.

show abstract

Late Maritime Woodland period hunter-fisher-gatherer complexity in the Far Northeast: Toward an historical and contingent approach

Hrynick

Betts²

2023

Journal of Anthropological Archaeology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mind the Gap: Maize Phytoliths, Macroremains, and Processing Strategies in Southern New England 2500–500 BP

Cited by 4 publications

References 42 publications

Early Maize (Zea mays) in the North American Central Plains: The Microbotanical Evidence

Early Maize (Zea mays) in the North American Central Plains: The Microbotanical Evidence

Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Dating of Meadowcroft Rockshelter Maize

Late Maritime Woodland period hunter-fisher-gatherer complexity in the Far Northeast: Toward an historical and contingent approach

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About