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The aim of this course is to provide a short introduction to archaeobotany. An overview of types of archaeobotanical remains will include an examination of macrobotanical remains (seeds, charcoal), microfossil remains (starch, pollen, phytoliths) and molecular remains (aDNA, isotopes). The ways in which various types of plant remains have been used will be discussed through case studies. Major debates that archaeobotanical research has shed light on, including the origins of agriculture and issues around domestication will also be examined. Some practical work will allow students to gain familiarity with botanical nomenclature and some archaeobotanical protocols and plant identification techniques.Students will look at microfossil residues from local grinding slabs and write a short paper on the residues recovered. They will also look at seed remains from either Chinese or local flotation samples using microscopes in the lab.