A short note on starch and xylem of Colocasia esculenta (taro) in archaeological deposits from Pitcairn Island, southeast Polynesia

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• 作者：M. Horrocks and M.I. Weisler
• 关键词：Ancient starch ; Colocasia esculenta ; Pitcairn Island
• 刊名：Journal of Archaeological Science
• 出版年：2006
• 出版时间：September 2006
• 年：2006
• 卷：33
• 期：9
• 页码：1189-1193
• 全文大小：446 K

文摘

We present results of starch analysis of archaeological deposits from Pitcairn Island. High concentrations of starch grains preserved in cell membranes, and xylem tracheary elements, consistent with introduced Colocasia esculenta (taro) were found. Because of limited age control, we are uncertain if the microfossils are prehistoric. Problems associated with identifying taxa with small starch grains in extractions from weathered deposits are highlighted.