Wednesday, September 14, 2016

The answers are hidden in history

Kristen Gremillion
“Somewhere in human history we seemed to have switched to a need to increase yields of crops,” said Kristen Gremillion, paleoethnobotanist and professor of anthropology at The Ohio State University.

Through fieldwork and the study of museum collections, Gremillion documents just that: the domestication of plants. The work - advanced by Bruce Smith, an anthropologist with the Smithsonian Institution - allows researchers to look at patterns of variation and plant origins and determine how human behavior affected what was grown. Results come from the study of archaeological materials and ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis.

“I study remnant plant parts from archaeological sites - seeds and fruits mostly,” Gremillion said in a follow-up email. “Some of these I have excavated myself; others are part of collections that have been curated since the early 20th century.” 
 
Gremillion said findings from these excavation sites often had plant remains preserved by climatic conditions.

“There’s so much material,” she said.

Sunflower remains that are involved in the aDNA aspect of Gremillion’s work are housed at the University of Michigan’s ethnobotany laboratory and from the Webb Museum of Anthropology at University of Kentucky. Materials date back 2,000-plus years ago and come from Eastern Kentucky rock shelters’ dry deposits. 

Due to a focus on growing hybrid crops and increasing yields Gremillion said some domesticated plants have gone by the wayside.

“I think one of the most important things is … there are crops that have largely been lost,” she said. “These forgotten, lost crops -- they have better nutritional profiles.”

Through studying archaeological specimens and historic records, Gremillion is also able to determine how crops are shared or transmitted between human populations. Gremillion said her work with historic records is “more interesting and informative” than studies without them, and she’s able to look at what crops were accepted or rejected by populations. Because she studies shifts of crops and agricultural technologies between Native Americans and Europeans, dating back to 1492, most of the records Gremillion studies are travelers’ accounts of native life, published papers and correspondence of botanists and expedition records.

By comparing archaeological collections and records from various areas and time periods, Gremillion said patterns of domestication come about. And while she isn’t directly involved in the aDNA work done in the lab, Gremillion is excited what that type of analysis can contribute to agriculture research.
“The new part of it … that’s the missing piece of the puzzle,” she said. “It’s really exciting. That’s the cutting edge right now.”

Gremillion will speak at our September workshop, Stressors and Drivers of Food Security: Evidence from Scientific Collections. She plans to talk about crop histories and how genomic efforts can better support crops in future environments.

14 comments :

  1. Yes, this is correct that history has all the answers. Because modern problems have roots in history. As when I was searching for free law dissertation topics I came across some previous researches which are still valid for modern problems. I can’t mention them because it can offense people, but some traditional myths and stuff like that which are still present in today’s world are already proven wrong in history. So, we can find many solutions or even a clear path for getting over the problems.

    ReplyDelete
  2. History Science is a boring subject but it is also interesting we hear ancient stories and determine the ancient things. when my teacher gives me a history assignment I'm too bored and gating help from Assignment Help Online they give me an idea and also provide good quality work

    ReplyDelete
  3. Studying is always great, and I guess that it is really important for people to learn throughout the whole life course. I am a professional writer, but I still learn and discover smth new in order to write better. Everyone should develop themselves in such sphere as they are good in. That's why it is really important to address for me "please write my discussion board post paper" in order to have time for your own hobby or work.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very interesting article! It was useful for me to read such an information which can help me to write my discussion board post. Thanks a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi.....
    Sometimes we just don't have the answers. If this was an impressive debut for gas ranges, you would think that the newspapers would have covered it.
    You are also read more Best Personal Loan in India

    ReplyDelete
  6. “Can I find a free paper writer?” We cannot write papers for free, but you can find an affordable writer me here. You can pick an assignment writer and request them to write a short draft of your task for free. After going through it and getting an idea of what they can do, you can tell them to write your paper to the end.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi, this is the Safety Site Promotion Agency, which represents considerable authority in pursuing safe destinations. We give all data connected with the security site, and assuming you have any inquiries, we will tackle them immediately. corporate security consulting

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm delighted to find your perceived way to deal with forming the post. By and by you simplify it for me to fathom and do the thought. Thankful to you for the post. Feel free to visit my site; https://thedeckdesigners.com/

    ReplyDelete
  9. Much obliged for the extraordinary blog. It was extremely helpful to me. I'm happy to have tracked down this blog. A debt of gratitude is in order for offering to us. I likewise consistently gain some new useful knowledge from your posts. trulife acrylic prints

    ReplyDelete
  10. I urgently needed to write a history essay, but since I completely forgot about it, I simply did not have enough time to complete the assignments on my own. I decided to use the services of this service speech writer online The guys completed the order quickly, the work was written perfectly. I thank you for your help. And I will recommend it to anyone who needs it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I feel really happy to have seen your site page and expect such endless extra captivating times examining here. Once more an obligation of appreciation is for all of the nuances. minnesota seo

    ReplyDelete
  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm dazzled, I need to concede. Genuinely seldom would it be advisable for me I experience a blog that is both educative and engaging, and undoubtedly, you've raised a ruckus around town inside the head. Your thought is exceptional; the aggravation is an issue that inadequate everybody is talking keenly about. I'm exceptionally glad that we coincidentally found this inside my attempt to discover something connecting with this. https://www.kitchenfantastic.com/

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have read your post and i am here to thank you for sharing this post
    Caroline Traffic Lawyer is a professional legal practitioner specializing in traffic law matters. With a strong background in this field, Caroline provides legal services and representation to individuals who are facing various traffic-related offenses and violations.

    ReplyDelete