Where do the pollen come from and where do they go?
The application of pollen analysis in archaeological studies
There are some other ways of pollination too.
Flowering plants
Insect pollinating flowers
Wind pollinating flowers

This group comprises both wild
and domesticated plants.

This group comprises both wild
and domesticated plants too.

Many of pollen from these
plants are transported by
wind.

Many of pollen from these
plants are collected and
transported by insects.

This group has a high rate of
pollen
production
and
dispersal.

This group has a low rate of
pollen
production
and
dispersal.

Most of the allergenic pollen
are produced by plants of this
group.

Most of the produced pollen
by these plant are collected by
insects such as honey bees.
Due to the producing a high
number of pollen, the chance of
finding their fossilized pollen is
high. Therefore, this group is of
importance for pollen analysis.
The old preserved pollen from
domesticated plants can help
archaeologists to reveal the
presence of agriculture in the
past even if no other part of plant
is preserved.
Since this group of plants
produces a low number of pollen,
the chance of finding their
fossilized pollen is low.
Taravat Talebi; July 2019. Groningen Institute of Archaeology; email: t.talebi.seyyedsaran@rug.nl