THE UISPP JOURNAL

Amy Ollendorf – PHYTOLITH STUDY OF A MUD-BRICK SAMPLE FROM UR IN SOUTHERN IRAQ: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

With support from the U.S. National Science Foundation, co-principal investigators beginning in 2011 undertook the first non-Iraqi archaeological investigation of the Tigris-Euphrates delta in nearly 20 years. Accompanied by a geologist, they visited archaeological sites in southern Iraq to look for links between wetland resources and the emergence of Mesopotamian cities. In early April 2013, a mud-brick sample from Ur was submitted to investigate phytoliths derived from the floral additives. The microscopic analysis of 231 phytoliths identified approximately 12 phytolith morphotypes, two diatom genera, and at least one sponge spicule genus. Palaeoenvironmental and palaeoethno-botanical implications of this analysis for further research are suggested, including possible evidence for the brickmaker’s choice of readily available local plants for the mud brick.

Reference as:

Ollendorf A. 2025. Phytolith study of a mud-brick sample from Ur in southern Iraq: preliminary results. UISPP Journal 7, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.62526/61K4X8

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