Environmental archaeological studies at Al-Khidr are primarily focused on archaeobotanical and archaeozoological studies.

Archaeobotany investigates plant macro-remains, such as charred seeds and wood, as well as plant micro-remains called phytoliths.

Archaeozoological studies investigate the animal remains (mammal, bird and fish bones, amphibians, sea-shells).

For the purposes of palaeoenvironmental research at the site it has been decided that floral and faunal remains will be extracted from the sediments by water flotation - using a modified "Siraf-type" water flotation machine.  The sampling strategy for selection of contexts is a combination of systematic interval and judgement sampling.  The systematic samples are collected from all contexts present at 1/3 of the excavated units, in a check-board scheme over the whole area of the site. Judgement samples originate from those contexts which are unique, outstanding or otherwise interesting.  The minimum sediment sample size (if context allows) is 20 litres.

As a complementary part of the palaeoenvironmental research reference collections of plant macro- and micro-remains and animal bones are being established and the modern flora and fauna of Failaka is also being mapped (partially in cooperation with the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, KISR).

KSAM members in charge:
Mária Hajnalová, Zora Miklíková, Mark Beech, Luc Vrydaghs, Mohammed Al-Ghanim

See also

• Archaeobotany at Al-Khidr
• Archaeozoology at Al-Khidr
• Use of bitumen at Al-Khidr

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