What are ecofacts in archaeology?

Ecofacts are organic materials that have been found at archaeological sites and possess archaeological significance. These materials can include items such as seeds, bones, plants, and other biological remnants that provide insights into past human behavior, diet, and environment. They are crucial for understanding the ecological context in which ancient peoples lived and for reconstructing past ecosystems.

Organic materials offer valuable information about the subsistence strategies of societies, climate changes, and even trade and interaction between different cultural groups. By studying ecofacts, researchers can draw conclusions about how humans interacted with their environment, including what they ate, how they obtained food, and how they may have managed and modified their surroundings. This distinguishes ecofacts from artifacts, which are items made or used by humans, and from features, which are non-portable structural elements at archaeological sites.