phytolith
FY-tuh-lith
Definition
A microscopic, rigid structure made of silica that forms inside many plant tissues and persists in the soil or archaeological record long after the organic plant material has decayed.
Etymology
The word is derived from the Greek words 'phyton' meaning plant and 'lithos' meaning stone, literally translating to 'plant stone'. It was coined by scientific researchers in the 19th century to describe these durable, mineralized remnants.
In the news
In the article, researchers used the analysis of phytoliths alongside other microfossils to identify the specific cereal grains used in an ancient alcoholic beverage. These structures provide durable evidence of past plant life that would otherwise be lost to time.
2,000-year-old alcohol discovered in tomb in China’s Ningxia
Read the full article ↗Asia News Network