ANT 304 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Dental Caries, Microfauna, Palynology
Document Summary
Look at previous environmental conditions globally - ice caps and glaciers. Sediments of the ocean floor accumulate slowly, but have evidence of thousands or even millions of climate history - look at layers in the ice cores. Analyze isotopic ratios - give climate idea. Study of the tree rings can date back up to 10,000 years ago - size of rings is based on climate. Variations show up far more clearly and can record sudden or dramatic shocks. Prime goal is to try to reconstruct what the vegetation was like in the past at any particular time or place. Give clues to local animal and human life - also reflect soil conditions and climate. Gives idea of fluctuations in vegetation through time - over last 12,000 years but can be preserved for millions of years. Minute particles of silica derived from the cells of plants, and they survive after the rest of the organism has been decomposed or burned.
