Services

Anthracology

Anthracology (wood-charcoal analysis) is a specialised field within archaeobotany that focuses on studying archaeological wood charcoal macrobotanics to extract palaeoenvironmental and ethnobotanical data. Charcoal preserves particularly well in acidic and dry environments, making it one of the most abundant recoveries in Australian archaeological sites, especially in the arid and semi-arid zones that dominate the continent. Valuable insights are gained through the examination of archaeological charcoals, including the potential for reconstructing local palaeoenvironments whilst providing insights into past changes in Past Occupants' mobility, settlement strategies, and economic resource procurement. Importantly, it sheds light on the enduring relationship between people and vegetation over time and space.

Services include:

Wood charcoal identification for species analyses;
Support for c14 dating (speciation to ensure a more accurate dating range for historical sites);
Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction;
Insights into site use and resource procurement strategies.

Wooden artefact identification

By taking a small sample from wooden artefacts, we can identify the type of tree it once grew from. Note this is mildly destructive and requires a small (~1-2cm sample). Sampling can be done by Old Tree or by the corporation.

Services include:

Sampling the artefact
Sampling training and guidance
Identification of species
Preserved slides for community's ongoing use
Micrographs

CARPOLOGY

Carpology—the study of seeds, fruits, nuts, and other plant remains—is a branch of archaeobotany that provides direct evidence of past plant use. When recovered from archaeological contexts, carpological remains offer insights into diet, nutrition, medicine, and the cultural practices surrounding plant collection, processing, and consumption. In Australia, this research coupled with codesigned ethnoarchaeological experiments is particularly significant because it helps reconstruct traditional ecological knowledge and bush food systems used by Aboriginal peoples over thousands of years. Combined with anthracology (charcoal analysis), carpology enables a more comprehensive understanding of past lifeways, including diet, plant processing techniques, seasonal resource use, and medicinal plant practices. These studies not only illuminate people-plant relationships but also contribute to broader discussions on environmental change and cultural resilience in the unique Australian landscape. Anthracological and carpological assemblages are shaped by complex taphonomic and preservational factors, and (where preservation permits) their combined analyses offer a more comprehensive understanding of people-plant relationships, subsistence practices, and lifeways in the past.

Services include:

Fruit and Seed Taxonomic Identification. Detailed taxonomic identification of non-woody macrobotanical remains recovered from archaeological contexts to determine species and their cultural significance.
Palaeoethnobotanical Analysis. Interpretation of carpological assemblages to understand diet, nutrition, and traditional ecological knowledge.
Seasonality and Subsistence Reconstruction. Using plant remains to infer seasonal resource use and past subsistence strategies.
Medicinal and Toxic Plant Use Studies. Identifying species associated with medicinal or toxic properties to explore cultural practices, toxic plant processing, and ancient and modern wellbeing strategies.
Combining seed and fruit analysis with wood charcoal studies for a holistic understanding of past environments and lifeways.

ethnobotanical survey and recording

Ethno/archaeobotanical surveys document plant species and their distribution concerning Country and specific sites. This process involves collecting specimen vouchers and creating a tangible collection for the Community. These samples assist in documenting species within the survey area which may be used as educational tools and datasets. These surveys offer valuable insights into the historical relationships between people and plants through time, enhancing and complementing traditional archaeological and archaeobotanical analyses.

Services include:

Ethnobotanical survey for compliance works
Recording TEK
Analysis of species in relation to specific sites and areas
Vouchering specimens for tangible reference collections (including assistance with licensing protocols)
Training Traditional Owners and Rangers in taking voucher specimens to support caring for Country
Creating comparative reference collections and digital databases for archaeobotany specimens to support ongoing research.

TRAINING

The techniques and methods employed during excavation, recovery and sampling greatly impact the preservation and data recovered from an assemblage. Old Tree Consulting specialists can assist with on-site recovery methods, and pre-site planning to best support specialist applications such as archaeobotany and zooarchaeology. The team can also provide training to heritage teams, corporations and Ranger groups in supporting best-practice methodologies for future specialist analyses.

Services include:

Specialist recovery techniques (i.e., flotation);
Training Traditional Owners and Rangers in taking voucher specimens and samples to support caring for Country;
Pre-excavation consultation for discussion relating to best practises and methods for specialised analyses;
On-site support during excavation.

Ethnobotanical experiments

Services include:

Co-design of ethnoarchaeological experiments and collaboration with communities to replicate traditional plant processing techniques for comparative analysis and comparative reference collections.
Co-design of ethnoarchaeological experiments
Reference collection and database development and digital archiving

support Services

Services include:

Sorting of general excavated material (small and large fractions)
Report editing
Creation and collation of ethnobotanical books for community