The palaeobotanical collections

The palaeobotanical collections contain over 60,000 pollen samples and 25,000 macrofossil samples. The study of pollen, spores, algae and other microorganisms, and macrofossil analysis, are the main proxies to reconstruct past vegetation and environments. Pollen analysis is the main method for reconstructing vegetation history, while macrofossil/charcoal analysis is used to interpret local vegetation and human activity. 

In collaboration with archaeologists, cultural and natural environments are studied and sampled during archaeological rescue investigations. Strategic collection is emphasized to obtain the best possible information on vegetation and environment in connection to human impact on environments.

Palaeobotanical research has long traditions at UiB. Palaeobotany, osteology and geology form the interdisciplinary research group FLOM. The laboratory facilities are co-located with the Department of Biological Sciences (paleoecology@uib).