Dr Anna Florin

Dr Florin’s research focuses on developing long-term perspectives on the role of plant foods, and their processing and management in world economies. As an archaeobotanist, she studies charred plant macrofossils – food scraps, from ancient fireplaces – to understand the diets of people in the past. She specialises on the analysis of root and tuber vegetables – a staple of Australian diets – and works closely with Traditional Owners to understand how different plant-processing practices can be seen archaeologically.

Her research, focused in Australia, New Guinea and Island Southeast Asia, has implications for key topics in global archaeology. This includes the role of plant foods in early human migrations outside Africa, ongoing cultural adaptations to climate change, and new perspectives on plant and landscape management practices in “hunter-gatherer” societies.