The systematic sampling of the archaeological surveys has allowed the recovery of botanic remains. The identification and analysis of theses samples is fundamental for trying to characterize as precisely as possible the stratigraphic units they belong to, as well as for obtaining data regarding the environmental conditions and chronology.
For the study of these remains we count with the collaboration of the Archaeobiology research group of the IH of the CSIC. Carbons and other macro-remains are recovered by means of floatation of samples that are subsequently dried and analyzed with microscopes for their identification. This identification is complex due ti the nature of the remains, and in occasions is is impossible to identify the exact species.
Regarding micro-remains, such as pollen, is recovered by members of the laboratory by means of different techniques used on samples taken during field work. Afterward, these samples are studied, creating pollinic diagrams that, next to the macro-remains, are clear indicators of the environmental conditions during each period of time (climate, flora), as well as different anthropic activities that were developed throughout the landscape (agriculture, stock breeding, fires).
Some of these samples are also prepared for their dating using Carbon 14 (14C). The first step used is to select samples form significant stratigraphic units within the sit or the excavated sector, and are then sent to specialized laboratories. The samples that are sent must be organic and preferably sort life remains (herbaceous, legominous) rather than long life ones (such as oaks, holm oaks...). Samples for dating form the IVGA project have been processed in three different laboratories: Beta Analytic (Miami, USA), Ångström Laboratory (Uppsala, Sweeden) y Poznan Radiocarbon Laboratory (Poland).
The absolute dates obtained are only valuable if the sample has been meticulously recovered and processed, and if they are considered in context regarding other data recovered during the stratigraphic analysis