Deep Origins ML Phytolith ID Workflow

Project Overview

RLEA is developing the application of machine learning (ML) algorithms to identify phytoliths. These robust microscopic silica ‘casts’ of plant-cells are a major component of many archaeological and paleoenvironmental deposits. Currently, studying phytoliths is very time-consuming, but the researchers at the RLEA are developing deep learning machine learning algorithms that can analyze large amounts of data quickly. This will allow them to study many more ancient sites and understand how people used plants and impacted their environments in the past.


Related publications

Berganzo-Besga I, Orengo HA, Lumbreras F, Aliende P, Ramsey M.N.
    2022    Automated Detection and Classification of Multi-Cell Phytoliths Using Deep Learning-Based Algorithms. Journal of Archaeological Science.


Images

microscopic images
Image credit: Iban Berganzo-Besga [@IbanBerganzo]
microscopic images
microscopic image