Phytoliths are micrometric particles of amorphous silica that form inside or between the cells
of higher plant tissues throughout the life of a plant. Phytolith morphological assemblages
extracted from sediments and buried soils are increasingly used as proxies of grassland
diversity and tree cover density. When found in significant amounts in archeological sites
they can be used for identifying food habits, cultural and agricultural practices. Phytoliths can
contain small amounts of C occluded in their structure (phytC). It is generally assumed that …