Roasting Breadfruit in the Pacific: a Combined Plant Macroremain and Phytolith Analysis from Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia

Levin, Maureece J. (April 2016). "Roasting Breadfruit in the Pacific: a Combined Plant Macroremain and Phytolith Analysis from Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia". Archaeology in Oceania. 51 (1): 70–76. doi:10.1002/arco.5081. ISSN 1834-4453 0728-4896, 1834-4453 .

Abstract: ABSTRACT

           In eastern Micronesia, breadfruit is an important staple crop and has probably been part of the diet since initial settlement. This paper uses combined macroremains and phytolith analysis to identify breadfruit production from a historical feature on Temwen Island, Pohnpei, Micronesia. Charred breadfruit exocarp material was recovered, indicating breadfruit roasting. Phytolith analysis from this feature does not provide direct evidence of breadfruit, but does reveal other taxa that are not present in flotation samples, demonstrating the utility of analysing multiple lines of botanical data. Thus, this project presents new botanical evidence for breadfruit and a method for approaching a more comprehensive study of cooking practices.