Abstract
This study aims to contribute to the field of paleoethnobotany in Florida archaeology by presenting a novel approach to chemical residue analysis using UV-vis spectroscopy. The project's main goals are to develop a spectroscopic method for analyzing ceramics to identify phytochemical residues and present the findings of chemical analysis applied to ceramics from the Cape Canaveral archaeological mitigation project (CCAMP). The study focuses on two sites, the Penny site (8BR158) and Burns site (8BR85) in Florida's Indian River region.
While organic residue analysis (ORA) has been applied to various materials and regions, limited research ORA on has been conducted within Florida archaeology. This study presents this approach in a simple and comprehensive manner so that it may be replicated by archaeologists who may be novice in in photospectroscopic methods.
The presence of caffeine in the context of Malabar Period sites can enhance our understanding of the Ais people's foodways and cultural practices in Cape Canaveral by showing the ritualistic and common day use of Black Drink made from Ilex vomitoria. By developing this specific analytical method and applying it to the pottery from CCAMP, the study has shed light on the past use of ceramics, as well as the plant resources utilized by the people of prehistoric Florida.
Thesis Completion
2023
Semester
Summer
Thesis Chair/Advisor
Duncan, Neil
Degree
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Anthropology
Degree Program
Anthropology (Methods and Practices)
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Release Date
8-15-2023
Recommended Citation
Woodard, Jacob, "Chemical Analysis for Phytochemical Residues on Ceramics from Cape Canaveral Archaeological Sites" (2023). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 1473.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses/1473