Palynology, diatom and phytolith analyses provide valuable information about past vegetation, human activities and environmental changes.

How Can MGPalaeo Help?

MGPalaeo has a range of services dedicated to archaeological studies and has been involved in multiple projects across Australia. We pride ourselves on our rapid turnaround times and ability to handle large volumes of samples.

Our tailored services can help archaeologists, cultural heritage teams, and environmental scientists extract the most from every site — from deep-time palaeoenvironments to micro-scale cultural residues.

Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction

Detailed microscopic analysis to reconstruct ancient vegetation, climate, and land-use patterns to help understand how people interacted with their environments — and how those environments changed over time. Key groups include:

  • Palynology
  • Phytoliths
  • Diatoms
  • Micropalaeontology
  • Fire regime indicators (e.g. microcharcoal counts)

Site Stratigraphy & Sedimentology

Interpretation of site formation processes and key depositional environments using proven core and outcrop techniques.

  • Section, trench, and core logging
  • Facies analysis
  • Identification of palaeochannels & buried landscapes

Field & Lab Sampling Support

Let us guide you in collecting the best samples for analysis. We can assist in planning sampling strategies that maximise data yield for microscopic analysis, sedimentology, and geochemistry.

  • On-site/office-based consultation
  • Core or pit-based sample selection

Deliverables & Reporting

Our reports are visually clear and publication-ready, tailored for inclusion in heritage documentation, academic publications, or internal site assessments.

Reports include custom stratigraphic logs and site diagrams, plus integrated biostratigraphic-sedimentological interpretations, as applicable.

Coming Soon: Portable Geochemical Analysis

Handheld XRF services for on-site or lab-based analysis of sediments, hearth residues, lithics, and pigments.

If there are other services that would be of benefit, please let us know.

Key Microscopic Groups

Palynology

Palynology is a cornerstone of archaeological studies, providing a detailed understanding of depositional settings and how climate changes influenced human settlements. Palynomorphs can also provide age control of sediments and stratigraphic correlation between archaeological sites.

Phytoliths

Phytoliths, the microscopic silica bodies formed in and between the cells of many plants, endure long after organic material has decayed. These particles can reveal a wealth of information about human interaction with the environment, from ancient agricultural practices and dietary patterns to non-dietary plant exploitation.

Diatoms

Diatoms, unicellular algae with silica shells, are excellent markers for environmental conditions and water quality. In archaeological contexts, diatoms help us understand changes in water bodies that might have influenced human settlement, migration, and survival strategies. Their presence and variety can indicate the proximity of water sources to ancient settlements and even shed light on water management practices.

Micropalaeontology

From foraminifera in marine settings to ostracods in freshwater environments, our team is equipped to handle a wide range of processing requirements, all of which can provide detailed insights into past ecosystems, climatic conditions, and human-environment interactions.

For more information on how MGPalaeo can help your projects, please Contact Us.

Additional Services

MGPalaeo has an on-site laboratory at our Malaga office, set up for the full suite of biostratigraphic services. However, we can also provide additional laboratory services if there is sufficient request (ie, Anthracology, Starch Analysis, or XRF spectrometry).

If any of these services are of interest, or if there are additional processing or analytical requests that would further improve your archaeological research, please Contact us and we can discuss further.