is a technique for the recovery of plant remains from archaeological sites. Sediments or pit contents are poured into water or heavy liquid; the lighter, carbonized plant remains float to the top for recovery, while the heavier sediments and other materials fall to the bottom.

Flotation

Explanation:

The meaning of flotation in archaeology is simply a method or technique for recovering and regaining very small artifacts from excavated sediments.

Flotation is a technique for the recovery of plant remains from archaeological sites. Sediments or pit contents are poured into water or heavy liquid; the lighter, carbonized plant remains float to the top for recovery, while the heavier sediments and other materials fall to the bottom.

Explanation:

Flotation is the recovery of archaeological material found within the sediment. Flotation basically seeks to separate the soil matrix from the plant debris floating on the surface. This is possible, since the sediments themselves do not float, contrary to the remains of carbonized plants which remain suspended on the surface, since they are less dense than rocks. This simple and effective technique has allowed archaeologists to retrieve evidence, which provides a different perspective on the diet and use of plants in general from ancient societies.

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