Coccoliths and Other Marine Microfossils in Microparticle Analysis

Abstract

Microscopic fossils are often important components of marine sediments and they are extensively used in geological research. These marine microfossils are not a routine tool for archaeologists, but they can in some circumstances provide invaluable data. The prime applications are for environmental analysis of marine sediments, for example in nearshore archaeological sites, and for provenacing the source of stone or pottery artefacts. The main marine microfossil groups are reviewed. Additionally, extended discussion is given of coccoliths in order to provide the information to distinguish them from other similar microparticles.