Ninety-six phytolith samples were analysed from seven
archaeological sites ranging from the Pre-Pottery
Neolithic to the Classical period and from two
ethnoarchaeological sites in Jordan. The aims were to
test the possibility of detecting past irrigation with the
methodology outlined by Madella et al. (2009) and
Jenkins et al. (Chapter 21, this volume) and to study the
contextual and temporal variation of plant use in
Jordan. We utilised a water availability index using the
proportion of phytolith types and ordination statistical
methods to explore the similarities between the
phytolith assemblages. The result of applying the
irrigation methodology was promising, with contexts
from water channels showing the greatest indication of
water availability. Changes in plant use through time
were also apparent with regard to phytolith densities
and taxonomy. Date palm was identified in the Pottery
Neolithic, providing one of the earliest records for this
taxon in Jordan. This study shows the potential of both
the water availability index and the value of inter-site
comparison of phytolith assemblages
