Microbotanical signatures of kreb: differentiating inflorescence phytoliths from northern African wild grasses

Abstract Throughout northern Africa, evidence for an intensification of wild grass gathering is reflected in Holocene archaeological contexts. However, both the recovery macrobotanical assemblages and specificity their taxonomic classification are heavily influenced by food processing post-depositional conditions. In contrast, inflorescence phytoliths provide high levels preserve well most This study analyses situ morphology from modern specimens nine C 4 species commonly observed ethnographic studies recovered seed contexts across Africa. Morphological differences I nterdigitate within fertile florets six Paniceae enabled differentiation between them. The morphological parameters established this additional resource palaeoecological using phytoliths, which demonstrates effectiveness applying method to African species.