Laboratory of Archaeobotany and Palaeoecology

This specialization is based on the finding, separation and determination and evaluation of botanical macro-remains from different contexts of archaeological sites. A lot of layers and archaeological fills are situated on common "dry" sites with prehistoric and early medieval settlement and burial places. An important part of the analysed features are situated in permanently wet positions, like for example wells, cesspits, water systems, cellars and so on. The investigated objects are usually plant seeds and their fragments, but also needles, chaff and the remains of straw. It is possible to evaluate which useful plants were used or collected on the basis of a determination of the plant structure (cereals, legumes, fruits, vegetables, spices, technical plants) and not only this: in accordance with the natural plant species structure it is possible to roughly reconstruct the immediate vicinity of an archaeological site (arable fields, meadows, waste areas, wetlands, forests, woods and shrub formations.

Mulberry (Morus nigra), found in Ústí na Labem in a medieval well. Photo by V. Komárková

The nature of the information is particularly important for archaeologists, because it is the main subject of any palaeoeconomical reconstruction. Based on macro-remains analyses it is possible to observe processes of cereal domestication in prehistory and indirectly the development of archaic systems of agriculture. Within the setting of a specific site relations between cultivated and collected plants are also visible. The spatial analysis of archaeobotanical macro-remains is also very attractive to archaeologists, e.g. the distribution of different species on larger archaeological sites etc. Today, larger sets of captured plants are evaluated by multivariate data analysis, which helps to find hidden information in them.

In paleoecological studies, the importance of macroresidue analysis lies primarily in its local character, in contrast to the results of anthracological or pollen analysis.

Carrot bur parsley (Caucalis plytycarpos) found in Ústí na Labem in a medieval well. Photo by V. Komárková

Wells, sumps, swamps – macro-residual treasure troves

A moist environment without access to air is extremely suitable for preserving organic material, i.e. also plant macro-residues. Thanks to it, even those parts of plants that would otherwise perish (soft seeds or whole fruits, leaves, etc.) can be preserved. Wells or sumps also have the advantage that a variety of waste (kitchen, fecal, production, etc.) was intentionally deposited in them. Therefore, we find in them macro-residues in high concentrations, which give us relatively detailed information about what people used to eat in the past, where the hay they fed their cattle came from, and so on. On the other hand, the damp fillings of ditches or blind branches of rivers inform us more about how the nature around them has changed over the ages.

In the younger stages of European prehistory, the analysis of macro-residues can capture the influences of classical Roman agriculture. Significant changes in the structure of agricultural production can be observed on the border between the early and high Middle Ages, but also at the beginning of the modern age. In certain cases, the analysis of plant macro-residues can capture very rare finds of imported plant species, such as nutmeg, fig tree or black pepper. Among wild plant species, once common, now very rare plants, such as cattails, sometimes appear in the analyzed material. Today, larger sets of captured plants are evaluated by multivariate data analysis.

Methodology

Soil samples are usually collected in plastic bags (as a general rule, the more the merrier). They are then washed through sieves and dried. Finally, plant macro-residues are selected and determined in them under a stereoscopic magnifying glass. Almost all types of archaeological deposits are suitable for capturing plant macro-remains. The basic method of separation is flotation. However, there is a big difference in the concentration of plant macro-residues per certain volumetric unit of sediment. In prehistoric objects of "dry" localities (Neolithic building pits, reservoirs, semi-earthen pits, etc.), a large volume of soil must be washed away in order to obtain a numerically representative sample of macro-residues (the recommended minimum is the analysis of 100 liters of deposit or fill). For these large volumes, the flotation method is used. Its principle is the melting and dilution of the deposit material in larger containers. Plant macro-residues float to the surface of the water. This solution is then poured through a set of sieves, usually with mesh diameters of 1 mm and 0.4 mm. Dry sieving is used for particularly dry and sandy deposits.

On the contrary, we can expect a high concentration of plant macro-residues in some fillings of prehistoric, but especially medieval and modern objects, such as wells, fecal pits, or wet ditches. Other separation methods are used here, based on a system of sieves, with the help of which the studied sediment is sorted into dimensional fractions and analyzed under a microscope, including the inorganic component. For such concentrated deposits, it is usually sufficient to analyze 2-5 liters of material.

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), found in Ústí na Labem in a medieval well. Photo by V. Komárková

Centre for Polar Ecology

Unique African Mole-Rat Breeding Program

Due to their hidden way of life, subterranean mammals have long remained elusive to both the general public and scientists. Observing them has been, and continues to be, highly challenging despite technological advances, as they spend their entire lives hidden in extensive underground tunnel systems. In recent decades, research on these fascinating animals has intensified, revealing numerous unique adaptations that enable their survival in harsh environments. Their burrows are dark, have extremely high humidity, are often low in oxygen and high in carbon dioxide, and require extensive digging through soil to access food or mates.

In the past two decades, studies on several subterranean mammal species have accelerated even further, as researchers discovered that many of their adaptations have potential applications in human medicine. Many species exhibit remarkable longevity, age slowly, and are resistant to cancer and conditions associated with low oxygen levels, such as heart attacks or strokes.

Among hundreds of subterranean mammal species, two groups stand out for the scope and intensity of research, including biomedical studies. These are African mole-rats (Bathyergidae) and blind mole rats (Spalacidae), which are mainly found in Eastern Europe (with Hungary being the closest to us) and the Middle East. We are fortunate to be the only institution worldwide that breeds and studies both groups here in České Budějovice.

The study of subterranean mammals at the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, has a long tradition. For over 25 years, we have been uncovering various sensory, behavioural, physiological, ecological, and morphological adaptations to underground life. We also explore species diversity, taxonomy, the factors driving speciation, and distribution patterns. Our research extends to their behaviour, social organization, and reproductive systems. Our research is unique in several other aspects. We strive to rigorously integrate findings from both field and laboratory studies (unlike most other teams that focus solely on laboratory work). Our research spans the widest global range of subterranean rodent taxa, including species from Africa, the Middle East, Europe, China, and South America. Moreover, we maintain the most diverse collection of subterranean rodents in the world (most other research groups study only a single species, often the naked mole-rat), allowing us to apply various comparative approaches. Currently, we house five species of African mole-rats (including the giant mole-rat, Ansell’s mole-rat, and the naked mole-rat), the Upper-Galilee Mountains blind mole rat, and the South American cururo, totalling around 400 individuals.

Our animal facility attracts public interest through “molarium” tours and collaborations with other research groups.

Key collaborations include:

• Reproductive biology and oocyte quality with Lenka Gahurová's team (Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics).
• Diversity and taxonomy of African mole-rats and other African mammals with Ondřej Mikula and Josef Bryja (Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences).
• Various aspects of subterranean mammal biology with Hynek Burda (Czech University of Life Sciences Prague).
• International collaborations with Nigel C. Bennett (South Africa), Eviatar Nevo (Israel), and Sabine Begall (Germany).

 Research and studies on African mole-rats by the Department of Zoology are available here:

• Research on small African mammals
• African mole-rats

• We breed 400 mole-rats.
• They consume 700 kg of vegetables each month.
• The animal facility is managed by one technician, with occasional support from students.
• Their bite force, relative to body size, rivals that of hyenas, which can crush elephant bones.
• Their tunnels, which they excavate themselves, can extend up to 3 kilometres in social species.
• In social mole-rat families, only one monogamous pair reproduces, while others are non-breeding relatives. If one parent dies, reproduction ceases for years.
• Breeding individuals live twice as long as non-breeders.
• Some species live for several decades.

• Families can consist of several dozen or even hundreds of individuals.
• Although their tiny eyes cannot discern shapes or motion, they can detect reflected moonlight deep within their tunnels.
• They lack cones for red light, so they see in shades of blue and green.
• They are nearly immune to cancer, likely due to hyaluronic acid, which helps keep their skin supple—just as it does for our loved ones.
• The naked mole-rat can survive for nearly 20 minutes without oxygen.
• Some species communicate by drumming their hind legs on the tunnel floors.
• Their constantly growing incisors, their primary digging tools, grow up to 1 cm per week. Misaligned teeth require regular trimming.