Pollen analysis of late 1800 privy deposits from Houston, Texas
Date
1999
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Texas A&M University
Abstract
Forty-nine soil samples from five nineteenth-century privy features in downtown Houston were examined for pollen. It was hoped that analysis of these samples would reveal information concerning the diet and health of individuals from this time frame that is not readily available through other sources, especially in regard to dietary choices. Pollen analysis revealed that dietary choices were not always determined by socio-economic status nor ethnicity. Clove pollen (Eugenia sp.) was found in all of the features but not in equal amounts. Other economics found included: species from the mustard family (Brassicaceae), cereals (Poaceae), cloves (c.f Eugenia), dewberries (Rubus), strawberries (Fragaria), grapes (Vitis), and corn (Zea mays). Some of the more prevalent non-economic types include: pine (Pinus), wild grasses (Poaceae), sunflowers (Asteraceae), ragweed (Asteraceae), myrtle family (Myricaceae), oak (Quercus), and goosefoot/pigweed (Chenopodeaceae/Amaranthus). Possible economics include: the carrot family (Apiaceae) and the plum family (Prunus).
Description
Due to the character of the original source materials and the nature of batch digitization, quality control issues may be present in this document. Please report any quality issues you encounter to [email protected], referencing the URI of the item.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-87).
Issued also on microfiche from Lange Micrographics.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-87).
Issued also on microfiche from Lange Micrographics.
Keywords
anthropology., Major anthropology.