PEARL collaborates with a broad network of professional colleagues to offer expanded plant fossil analyses for your paleoenvironmental project. When you submit samples, we coordinate with methodological experts familiar with your project’s region and context to complete the relevant analyses. All resulting data are then synthesized into a single, comprehensive final report. Through this professional network, we currently offer phytolith, diatom, starch grain, and plant macrofossil analyses.

Phytoliths, microscopic silica bodies formed within plant tissues, preserve well in diverse sediment types and are valuable for identifying plant taxa and vegetation structure, particularly incontexts where pollen preservation is poor.

Diatoms, unicellular algae with silica cell walls, provide detailed information on past water conditions, including paleohydrology, salinity, and site inundation, making them especially useful in wetland or lacustrine settings.

Starch grains, preserved on artifacts or in sediments, offer direct evidence of plant processing and consumption, often allowing identification of both wild and domesticated taxa.

Plant macrofossils—such as seeds, wood fragments, and charcoal—can be identified to the species level and reveal insights into past vegetation, site use, and human activities like cultivation, fuel use, and plant management. Together, these complementary proxies enable high-resolution reconstructions of past environments, subsistence strategies, and site formation processes.Please note that partner-provided analyses may have custom turnaround times and are subject to availability. Rates may vary; for the most up-to-date information, please consult our current service rates.

Baseline rates are subject to additional fees for rush analysis.

Rates are valid through 12/31/2026

Please see our latest rates for more information.