Why a new volume on non-pollen palynomorphs?

O’Keefe, Jennifer M.K.; Marret, Fabienne; Osterloff, Peter; Pound, Matthew J.; Shumilovskikh, Lyudmila

doi:10.1144/sp511-2021-83

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 77 publications

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“…These findings demonstrate that microfibers can survive in anthropogenic sediments for a very long time and can be examined under light microscopes. The studies of such micro-particle remains, often described as a type of Non-Pollen Palynomorph (NPP), have demonstrated a great potential for the reconstruction of human activities ( Henry, 2020 ; Shumilovskikh and Geel, 2020 ; O’Keefe et al., 2021 ). Following this line of investigation, we employed microbotanical analysis on sediment samples collected from the Middle Chalcolithic site at Tel Tsaf in Israel (ca.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The earliest cotton fibers and Pan-regional contacts in the Near East

et al. 2022

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Fiber technology (cordage and textile) has played a central role in all human societies for thousands of years, and its production, application and exchange have deep roots in prehistory. However, fiber remains have only rarely been observed in prehistoric sites because they tend to decay quickly in normal environmental conditions. To overcome preservation problems of macroscopic remains, we employed microbotanical analysis on soils from anthropogenic sediments in activity areas at Tel Tsaf in the Jordan Valley, Israel (ca. 5,200–4,700 cal BC), and recovered fiber microremains. This includes at least two types of bast fibers and the earliest evidence of cotton in the Near East, some of which were dyed in various colors. Some of these fibers likely represent the remnants of ancient clothing, fabric containers, cordage, or other belongings. The cotton remains, probably derived from wild species originating in South Asia, predate the oldest known cotton domestication in the Indus Valley by about two millennia. Tel Tsaf played a pivotal role in trans-regional trade and exchange networks in the southern Levant, and the presence of cotton at the site points to possible connections with the Indus Valley as early as 7,200 years ago.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The earliest cotton fibers and Pan-regional contacts in the Near East

et al. 2022

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Diversity and ecological significance of modern fungal non-pollen palynomorphs in a European lowland forest ecosystem

Zimny,

Czortek,

Jaroszewicz

2024

The Holocene

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Fungal non-pollen palynomorphs (fNPPs) are microscopic structures occurring in various sediments. In paleoecological studies, they can serve as reliable indicators of vegetation types, grazing activities, and human impact, enriching the interpretation of fossil data. This study explores the composition and taxonomic richness of fNPPs in 85 moss samples from a European lowland forest. We found rich fungal diversity, with 95 morphological types, predominantly saprotrophs, favoring specific substrates, like wood, decaying bark, herbaceous plant remains, litter, and freshwater habitats. Key taxa, such as type HdV-96A, and cf. Hypoxylon (EMA-24), were prevalent across different forest types, especially in deciduous forests. We identified two primary gradients of fNPP composition. The first axis delineated samples by taxonomic richness, Shannon index, and canopy openness, showing similarities among deciduous forests. The second axis ordered samples by the proportion of fNPPs, volume of stumps, coarse woody debris, and herbs pollen richness, highlighting their connections. Forest management intensity had minimal influence on fNPP composition, indicating consistent composition along both ordination axes. Forest type and herbs pollen richness, significantly affected the taxonomic richness and Shannon diversity of fNPPs. Deciduous forests exhibited higher fNPP richness, compared to coniferous forests, linked to increased herbs pollen richness. However, fNPPs decreased with increasing volume of stumps, coarse woody debris, and canopy openness, demonstrating the complexities of forest management’s influence on fungal diversity. This study pioneers fNPP investigation in an old-growth temperate forest ecosystem, emphasizing the interplay of forest characteristics, herbs diversity, and dead wood components in shaping their composition and richness. It also reveals differences in fNPP assemblages between deciduous and coniferous forests, underscoring the importance of forest type in shaping fungal diversity. These findings highlight the need for detailed studies on microhabitats, dead wood decomposition rates, and specific forest impacts to comprehensively understand forest ecosystem dynamics.

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Emergence of fibrecraft specialization 8000 years ago in early Neolithic North China

Liu,

Li,

Chen

et al. 2024

The Holocene

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Fiber technology, crucial to human societies for millennia, encompasses cordage and textiles. The development of fiber crops and the production of fiber-based clothing are significant components of the Neolithic Revolution. Despite China being an independent center for agriculture, the role of fiber technology in this context remains largely unexplored. In this project, we employed a comprehensive approach that combines microfossil analysis and use-wear examinations to study tools from the Peiligang site in North China. This site uniquely spans the Upper Paleolithic and early Neolithic periods, offering an ideal setting for investigating the evolution of fiber production. Our results reveal that some Paleolithic blades and scrapers were associated with fiber production, which coincided with ostrich eggshell beads and hematite during the cold and dry Last Glacial Maximum period. Responding to climatic fluctuations, fiber production played a significant role in subsistence and ritual activities. In the early Neolithic, advanced fiber production is evident. Two adjacent burials yield tools and microfossil remains representing a toolkit for fiber and possible textile production, including harvesting, retting, pounding, scraping, and sewing. Fibers recovered from human bones provide potential evidence of textile production and use. Dyeing with blue, black, and red colorants was common for textiles, cordages, and strings. These grave goods suggest the involvement of the deceased in craft production with bast fibers, possibly embodying the earliest specialization in fiber craft 8000 years ago in Neolithic China.

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Why a new volume on non-pollen palynomorphs?

Cited by 4 publications

References 77 publications

The earliest cotton fibers and Pan-regional contacts in the Near East

The earliest cotton fibers and Pan-regional contacts in the Near East

Diversity and ecological significance of modern fungal non-pollen palynomorphs in a European lowland forest ecosystem

Emergence of fibrecraft specialization 8000 years ago in early Neolithic North China

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