The alien presence : palaeoentomological approaches to trade and migration
This thesis addresses the potential of palaeoentomological remains to stand as evidence of past trade and culture contact. Three methodological tools are used to evaluate the effectiveness of insect subfossils as palaeoeconomic indicators: palaeoecology, biogeography, and isotopic analysis. Underpinning each of the methodological approaches is the premise that specific insect fauna are notably stenotopic in their distributional range. By superimposing the physiological and ecological habits of modern species over the archaeological record, they may effectively serve as analogues to interpret palaeoentomological evidence. On that basis, the archaeological presence of stenotopic insects may reliably be employed as indicators of their associated habitats. Furthermore, the examination of the archaeological remains of the specific monophagous or oligophagous species that are known to feed on human exploitable resources may provide direct or indirect evidence towards the presence of those commodities. For example, Sitophilus granarius may stand as an indication of the presence of stored cereal grains. In each of the methodological approaches, the palaeoentomological remains proved promising as a tool for suggesting
King, Gary Andrew
The alien presence : palaeoentomological approaches to trade and migration. This thesis addresses the potential of palaeoentomological remains to stand as evidence of past trade and culture contact. Three methodological tools are used to evaluate the effectiveness of insect subfossils as palaeoeconomic indicators: palaeoecology, biogeography, and isotopic analysis. Underpinning each of the methodological approaches is the premise that specific insect fauna are notably stenotopic in their distributional range. By superimposing the physiological and ecological habits of modern species over the archaeological record, they may effectively serve as analogues to interpret palaeoentomological evidence. On that basis, the archaeological presence of stenotopic insects may reliably be employed as indicators of their associated habitats. Furthermore, the examination of the archaeological remains of the specific monophagous or oligophagous species that are known to feed on human exploitable resources may provide direct or indirect evidence towards the presence of those commodities. For example, Sitophilus granarius may stand as an indication of the presence of stored cereal grains. In each of the methodological approaches, the palaeoentomological remains proved promising as a tool for suggesting
alien presence approach trade migration address potential remains stand evidence past trade culture_contact methodological_tool use evaluate effectiveness insect indicator palaeoecology biogeography isotopic_analysis underpinning methodological_approach premise specific insect fauna notably distributional range superimpose physiological ecological habit modern specie archaeological_record may effectively serve analogue interpret evidence basis archaeological presence insect may reliably employ indicator associate habitat furthermore examination archaeological_remain specific specie know feed human resource may provide direct_indirect evidence towards presence commodity example may stand indication presence store cereal grain methodological_approach remain promising tool suggest