Interpretation in Context: Sampling and Analysis in Paleoethnobotany

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Abstract
During the past 20 years the collection of samples for flotation and subsequent paleoethnobotanical analyses have flourished. At the same time, archaeologists have become increasingly concerned with both the physical and cultural contexts of material remains. With this in mind, we must critically examine the sampling schemes used in the field and laboratory. This article presents a method that can help archaeologists recover the most complete information needed to address both the physical and cultural context of archaeobotanical remains. By comparing flotation samples from features and adjacent locations, we demonstrate the need for systematic, comprehensive sampling and analytical procedures to delineate the chronological, stratigraphical, and cultural relationships between and among materials in adjacent areas.