Palaeoecology Research Services

Palaeoecology (also known as environmental archaeology or bioarchaeology) is the study of biological remains (e.g. bone, shell, plants, insects and microfossils) from archaeological sites, with a view to reconstructing elements of living conditions in the past e.g. diet, economy and sanitation. The analysis of these remains is now considered one of the fundamental tools of understanding the development and change of human activities through time and as such, forms an important part of archaeological contract work.

Palaeoecology Research Services Limited (PRS), formerly based in the Environmental Archaeology Unit, University of York, was established ten years ago to undertake these studies. In 2001 we moved to new premises in Shildon (near Darlington), County Durham, from where we continue to provide a professional and fully integrated service.

 

We offer a range of services including:

  • rapid evaluation of bio-archaeological remains from threatened sites
  • assessment of biological remains for post-excavation project design
  • full post-excavation studies of biological material through to publication text

 

We provide integrated reports based on the identification and interpretation of many classes of biological remains from archaeological deposits including:

  • plant macrofossils, pollen, wood
  • animal bone (including small mammals, birds and fish)
  • human bone
  • insects and other non-mollusc invertebrates
  • land, freshwater and marine molluscs
  • intestinal parasitic nematodes
  • diatoms

 

and can facilitate additional services:

  • radiocarbon dating
  • the interpretation of archaeological sediments