Starch Granules as Markers of Diet and Behavior

Abstract

Starch granules, the energy-storage molecules produced by plants, are increasingly used in archaeological studies as markers of human diet and food processing. While starch granules are organic in nature, their semi-crystalline structure likely contributes to their preservation in some protected archaeological contexts, such as within dental calculus or pottery crusts. However, many naturally-occurring and human-induced processes can damage or destroy starches, so a detailed understanding of how starches are formed and ultimately preserved is necessary to accurately translate the starch record into meaningful statements about human behavior.