3 papers

I found the following papers from Science Direct. (1) is similar to experimental studies of rekigun (stone clusters) conducted in Japan. (2) is not published, but shows how to classify morphologies of ancient starch grains. (3) presents changes in starch grains by cooking experiments.

1. Thoms, A.V. 2009. The fire stones carry: Ethnographic records and archaeological expectations for hot-rock cookery in western North America. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 27: 443–460.
2. Wilson, J., K. Hardy, R. Allen, L. Copeland, R. Wrangham, M. Collins. in press. Automated classification of starch granules using supervised pattern recognition of morphological properties. Journal of Archaeological Science.
3. Messner, T.C., B. Schindler. 2010. Plant processing strategies and their affect upon starch grain survival when rendering Peltandra virginica (L.) Kunth, Araceae edible. Journal of Archaeological Science 37: 328–336.

Finished Ibusuki's survey

Yesterday, I have just finished looking at residue samples taken in Ibusuki city. I have not analysed the data yet, but I may have very interesting results.

Now I'm preparing my presentation in Vietnam, a resume for student seminar on December 10 (submitting resume by next Thursday), a poster for the 10th meeting of Society of Kansai Jomon Cultural Studies (JAPANESE), and these are OVER my capacity. So I have not looked at residue samples taken in Chuo University, but I'm looking forward to them as well.

After the later January in 2010, I will start other surveys. My thesis examining meeting will be on Thursday, January 21, and then those surveys will be started.

Morphology of starch grains

Preparing my presentation in Vietnam, I revised the morphology of starch grains from modern reference plants. There are not enough blanks, and the botanical names are shown as very small characters. The better way is to show in Japanese names.

I need to be in Japan to have many tasks to do, and I will join the conference on just December 5th.

© ayako

Kuma, Dai, Chu, Dai

The title shows those initials of the places where I went (like names of universities written in Chinese characters).

I went to Kumamoto (JAPANESE) to present my research results from November 6th, came back to Osaka to prepare my sampling tools on later 8th, and conducted my surveys in Chuo University from 9th to 11th. Before coming back to Osaka, I went to Chiba to see the special exhibition.

At the 24th conference of Japanese Association of Historical Botany, the public symposium was conducted from the afternoon on 7th. After presenting new research results about plant cultivation and domestication in Japanese Archipelago, a lively discussion from various standpoints was conducted.

Regarding all of presentations, I can get recent research results on various topics during the two-day conference.

In Chuo University, I took residue samples from 29 handstones at the Ideuenohara site (JAPANESE) in Fukushima Prefecture as well as taking samples from a handstone and a stone slab at the other archaeological site for my ancient starch analysis. Those samples were a little bit bigger than my analysing capacity...

I'm looking forward to seeing these samples.

The special exhibition conducted by National Museum of Japanese History shows recent research results about the beginning of the Jomon culture. In one corner, you can see familiar diagrams and photos at some conferences. This exhibition will be opened until January 24th in 2010.

Submitted my PhD thesis!

Today I've just submitted my PhD thesis.

The title is "Plant food processing and using in early Japan: theory, method, and applications of ancient starch analysis". Finally, over 5 years after starting ancient starch analysis in Japan, I completed my research results.

By the way, I've not prepared my presentation at the meeting in Kumamoto (Japanese Association of Historical Botany).