A Review of Archaeobotony and Paleoethnobotony in Hawaii

Abstract

Archaeobotany has been defined by Ford (1979:299) as the study of plant residues derived from archaeological contexts. Palaeoethnobotany, as a field of inquiry, draws upon several types of archaeobotanical analyses. Wood, phytoliths, pollen, and other plant remains such as seeds, leaves, and tubers are examples of archaeobotanical materials. These remains can provide information of relevance to palaeoethnobotany, but may also contribute to studies of palaeoclimate, palaeobotany, etc. More than a listing of plants and their traditional uses, palaeoethnobotany is the study of past man-plant relationships, emphasizing the dynamics of those relationships through time.