The Ecological Archaeology Lab at OSU contains facilities and references for macrobotanical and microbotanical identification, quantification, and interpretation. Our spaces in Waldo and Weniger features Leica compound and dissecting microscopes with an integrated camera system for documenting and analyzing archaeological and comparative materials. We also are also in the process of building up a wet lab for processing archaeological starches and phytoliths.
Our botanical comparative collections prioritize North America and include seeds, wood, geophytes, starch, and herbarium voucher specimens. We are in the process of imaging these reference materials. Once imaged these will be uploaded to this space and the Northwest Native Plants website. We are currently looking for volunteers to help with organizing and digitizing this reference collection as well as help with sorting and identifying archaeological samples.
We also have an extensive library collection of plant identification references, ethnobotanical and ethnobiological works, and geoarchaeological books. All are welcome to reference these materials within the lab spaces.