Article Abstract:
Palaeogenetics is a relatively new discipline with far-reaching implications on archaeology. The discipline first came into public attention in 1981, when nucleic acids were extracted by Chinese scientists from ancient human remains. Palaeogenetics' impact on archaeology is likened to that radiocarbon dating. To realize palaeogenetics' full potential, further collaboration between archaeologists and geneticists is necessary.
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Article Abstract:
Pollen samples from prehistoric sites provide information valuable to the reconstruction of early palaeoenvironments. Archaeologists have learned much about the impact of ancient man on the vegetation and the kinds of agriculture predominant in a region with the use of palynology. The University of Chicago's Robert J. Braidwood is to be credited for pioneering the use of methods from the natural sciences in archaeology.
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Article Abstract:
Archaeologists are using petrographic techniques in describing, classifying and interpreting pastes or fabrics utilized in archaeological ceramics. With the aid of petrographic microscopes, archaeologists can examine thin sections of the ceramics, allowing common minerals used in the ceramics to be identified based on optical properties such as color, refractive index and cleavage.
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