Microscopic Epidermal Identification of Yucca and Agave for Archaeological Use

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1992

Abstract

The microscopic identification of epidermal fragments has been used extensively by wildlife ecologists to determine the diet of various animals. Archaeologists, however, have rarely relied on this simple technique to identify botanical remains observed in sites or in prehistoric dietary samples. This paper reviews the methods and techniques of microscopic epidermal identification. Distinctions of such identifications on reference samples of yucca and agave are illustrated. The application of epidermal identification is also illustrated on samples taken from archaeological contexts.

Comments

© 1992 Texas Academy of Science

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