Phytolith Analysis
JSE Consulting began offering quantitative phytolith consulting support and contract analysis in 2000, and has actively worked and grown in the field for 19 years. My Ph.D. research involved a detailed study of phytoliths from prairie and riparian settings in the Great Plains, USA. Contract phytolith analysis has been performed for academic customers, state agencies, and consulting firms as well as individual researchers.
Proficiency has also been developed in sponge spicule analysis, and a colleague is available who is able to perform expert diatom analysis. All work is documented with pertinent photographs as well as laboratory procedures and detailed interpretation in a formal publishable report.
In addition to recovery and analysis of biogenic silica (phytoliths, diatoms, freshwater sponge spicules, and statospores [statocysts, or Chrysophycean Cysts]), components in the sand fraction are also documented, photographed, illustrated, and detailed in the final report. Recent reports have included snails, bones, teeth, charophyte oogonia, charcoal, foraminifera, flake debris, and seeds. Example publications and project reports are listed below.
My background as a career analytical chemist enables me to assist in solving various laboratory-related problems. Site visits have been made to various laboratories to diagnose and solve sample processing problems encountered by others.
My quantitative phytolith analyses are performed at JSE's state of the art analytical laboratory. Co-researchers, customers, and students who have visited the facility always leave favorably impressed.
I would be glad to discuss your project scope and goals, and discuss how our phytolith expertise may be able to contribute to your study.
J. Byron Sudbury, Ph.D., RPA
jschemistry@hotmail.com
Phytolith Books:
Sudbury, JB. Quantitative Phytolith Analysis—A Working Example from Modern Prairie Soils
and Buried Holocene A Horizons. Phytolith Press, Ponca City, Oklahoma. 288 p. [2011]
Review Available: Cordova, Carlos. 2012. Book Review: Quantitative Phytolith
Analysis—A Working Example from Modern Prairie Soils
and Buried Holocene A Horizons Holocene Book Reviews.
The Holocene 22(10). [2012R]
Sudbury, JB. Biogenic Silica from an Opossum Creek Soil Profile, Nowata County, Oklahoma,
USA. Phytolith Press, Ponca City, Oklahoma. 107 p. [2011]
Sudbury, JB. (Compiler). Phytolith References. Phytolith Press, Ponca City, Oklahoma. 298 p. [2011]
Recent Publications:
Carter, BJ, JP Kelley, JB Sudbury, and DK Splinter. Key Aspects of A Horizon Formation of
Selected Buried Soils in Late Holocene Alluvium; Southern Prairies, USA. Soil Science
174(7):408-416. [2009]
Bement, LC, BJ Carter, RA Varney, LS Cummings, and J Sudbury. Paleoenvironmental
reconstruction and bio-stratigraphy, Oklahoma Panhandle, USA. Quaternary International 169-
170:39–50. [2007]
Recent Professional Meeting Presentations:
Meyers, JD, JB Sudbury, RD Jantz, and N Hercyk. 2015. Novel Approach for Removing Selenium
from Phillips 66 Ponca City, OK Refinery Effluent. American Fuels & Petrochemical Manufacturers
(AFPM), Oct 19 2015 (Salt Lake City, UT). [2015]
Sudbury, JB. Phytolith Insights into the Paleoenvironment during the mid-Holocene Calf
Creek Culture. (SAA Austin, April 26, 2014)
Sudbury, JB. Quantitative Phytolith Analysis: A Key to Understanding Buried Soils
and Reconstructing Paleoenvironments. 8th IMPR [International Meeting of
Phytolith Researchers], Estes Park, CO, USA (September 16, 2011).
Sudbury, JB. Sponge Spicules: An Underutilized Soil Biogenic Silica Resource. 8th IMPR,
Estes Park, CO, USA (September 17, 2011).
Sudbury, JB, and WJ Hunt, Jr. Politics of the Fur Trade: Clay Tobacco Pipes at Fort Union, North
Dakota. Society of Historical Archaeology Annual Meeting (January 12), Albuquerque, NM.
[Images and color slides reproduced in Sudbury and Hunt 2009a:143-173]. [2008; printed version
available in Sudbury 2009]
Example Project Reports:
Sudbury, JB. Biogenic Silica Study of Selected Stinnett Bison Sediment Samples (41HC220). 22 p.
(ms sent to client Dec. 31, 2016)
Sudbury, JB. Survey Prior to Stabilization of Section of Arkansas River Bank, Kay County,
Oklahoma: Archeological Inspection. 28 p. (ms submitted to client 5-17-16)
Sudbury, JB. Zemple Core Paleoenvironmental Data—Biogenic Silica. 44 p. (ms sent to client
Jan. 22, 2016)
Sudbury, JB. Appendix E: Biogenic Silica Assessment of Sediment Samples from the Soil Profile
and Select Cultural Features at 41TV2161, pp. 600-659. In Big Hole (41TV2161): Two
Stratigraphically Isolated Middle Holocene Components in Travis County, Texas. Quigg,
JM, BG Bury, RA Ricklis, PM Matchen, S Gray, CD Frederick, T Osburn, and E Schroeder.
830 pp. [2016]
Sudbury, JB. Appendix D: Phytolith and Biogenic Silica Assessment of Select Sediment Samples
from 41BL278, pp 173-199. In Archeological Testing of TxDOT Right-of-Way through Site
41BL278, Bell County, Texas. Quigg, JM, and CD Frederick. 252 pp. [2015b]
Sudbury, JB. Appendix J: Biogenic Silica Assessment of Sediment Samples from 41MS69, pp.
325-260. In Eligibility Assessment of the Slippery Slope Site (41MS69) in TxDOT Right-of-Way in
Mason County, Texas. Quigg, JM, PM Matchen, CD Frederick, and RA Ricklis. 395 pp. [2015a]
Sudbury, JB. Appendix B: Biogenic Silica Recovery from Carbonate-enriched Soils--Observations
from Past Samples. 22 p. (9-25-14 ms sent to client) [2014b]
Sudbury, JB. Appendix F: Environmental Biosilica Data 41LM50 and 41LM51: Early Archaic Through
Late Prehistoric Periods, pp. 303-348. In Eligibility Testing at Three Prehistoric Sites at Lynch
Creek, Lampasas County, Texas. Quigg, JM, PM Matchen, RA Ricklis, S Gray, CD Frederick,
and J Barrett. 406 pp. [2014a]
Sudbury, JB. Phytolith Isolation from xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sediment Samples, xxxxxxxxxxxx, Texas.
25 p. (ms sent to client 3-13-13).
Sudbury, JB. Appendix B. 41RB112 Sediment Sample Phytolith Analysis, pp 707-766. In Quigg, JM,
PM Matchen, CD Frederick, and RA Ricklis. Long View (41RB1112): Data Recovery of Two
Plains Village Period Components in Roberts County, Texas Volume II. Texas Department of
Transportation Environmental Affairs Division, Archeological Studies Program, Report No. 147.
Austin, Texas. [2013]
Sudbury, JB. Appendix E. Phytoliths Present in a Buried Soil and Selected Cultural Features at
41YN452, pp. 449-488. In Quigg, JM, PM Matchen, CD Frederick, and RA Ricklis. Root-Be-Gone
(41YN452): Data Recovery of Late Archaic Components in Young County, Texas, Volume 2.
Texas Department of Transportation Environmental Affairs Division, Archeological Studies
Program, Report No. 135. Austin, Texas. [2011]
Sudbury, JB. Phytoliths from Features at Two Gunnison County Archaeological Sites 5GN2404
and 5GN2262 [Appendix C]. In Moore, S, and J Firor Archaeological Data Recovery At Six Sites
Along The Blue Mesa-Skito 115-Kv Transmission Line, Gunnison County, Colorado. Western
Area Power Administration Contract Report. [2009]
Sudbury, JB. Sewright Site (39FA1603) Phytolith Analysis. J. S. Enterprises Project Report
2007-2. [2007]
Sudbury, JB. Appendix C: Phytolith Analysis Indicates Activity Areas at a Late Prehistoric
Site (34CN176), pp. 145-156. In A Reconnaissance Survey Defining Prehistoric through Historic
Occupation of the Divide Separating the Canadian and North Canadian Rivers Between Geary and
Calumet, Oklahoma, by Drass RR, and MW McKay. Archeological Resource Survey Report No. 53.
The University of Oklahoma. [2006]
Material Culture Reports and Publications (Archeology):
Sudbury, JB. Politics of the Fur Trade: Clay Tobacco Pipes at Fort Union Trading Post
NHS (32WI117). Clay Pipes Press. 225 p. [project funded via NPS Challenge Cost Share
Program] [2009]
Review Available: Richner, Jeffrey J. 2009. Book Review: Politics of the Fur
Trade: Clay Tobacco Pipes at Fort Union Trading Post (32WI17). Historic Clay Tobacco Pipe Studies Research Monograph Number
2. Plains Anthropologist Vol. 54, Issue 212 (365-368). [RM1 RM2R]
Sudbury, JB. "Clay Tobacco pipes form the Tortugas Shipwreck (1622)." In Stemm, G, and S
Kingsley (Eds.) Oceans Odyssey 4 Oxbow Books, Oxford. [2014]
Sudbury, JB. “The Jacksonville ‘Blue China’ Shipwreck (Site BA02): Clay Tobacco Pipes,"
pp. 263-286. In Stemm, G, and S Kingsley (Eds.) Oceans Odyssey 2 Underwater
Heritage Management & Deep-Sea Shipwrecks in the English Channel & Atlantic Ocean. Odyssey
Marine Exploration Reports 2. Oxbow Books, Oxford. [2011]
Sudbury, JB, and SP Jung, Jr. United States of America [Clay Pipes]. Journal of the Académie
Internationale de la Pipe 2011 (for 2009) 2:137-148. pdf
Pfeiffer, MA, RT Gartley, and JB Sudbury. President Pipes: Origin and Distribution. Wyoming
Archaeologist. 50(1). [2007]
Pfeiffer, MA, RT Gartley, and JB Sudbury. “President Pipes: Origin and Distribution.” Presented at
the 8th South Central Historical Archeology Conference Memphis, Tennessee (28 October). [2007]
Sudbury, B. A SIXTEENTH CENTURY SPANISH COLONIAL TRADE BEAD FROM WESTERN
OKLAHOMA. Wyckoff, DG (Ed.), Bulletin of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society Vol. XXXIII.
(1984) [34RM14]
Sudbury, B. Ka-3, THE DEER CREEK SITE. An Eighteenth Century French Contact Site in Kay
County, Oklahoma. Wyckoff, DG (Ed.), Bulletin of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society
XXIV:1-135. (1976) [34KA3]
Review Available: Sudbury, Byron. “KA-3, The Deer Creek Site: An Eighteenth
Century French Contact Site in Kay County, Oklahoma”. Bulletin
of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society (1976); reviewed by Mary
Elizabeth Good. Historical Archaeology 12:114-16.
Sudbury, B. Ka-131, THE BOWLING ALLEY SITE: A Late Prehistoric Site in Kay County, Oklahoma.
Wyckoff, DG (Ed.), Oklahoma Bulletin of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society XVII:87-135.
(1968) [34KA131]
Reviews:
Sudbury, JB. Book Review: The Archaeology of the Clay Tobacco Pipe XII. Chesapeake Bay.
BAR International Series 466; Liverpool Monographs in Archaeology and Oriental Studies No. 14.
Davey, P, and D J Pogue (Eds.) British Archaeological Reports, 122. Oxford, England. 1991,
114 p. Journal of Middle Atlantic Archaeology 11:168-170. (1995)
Sudbury, JB. Book Review: Clay Tobacco-Pipes, with Particular Reference to the Bristol Industry,
by IC Walker. Historic Archaeology (R)14:126-128. (1980)
Review of Sudbury publications:
Sudbury, Byron. Historic Clay Tobacco Pipes Manufactured in the
USA—A Slide Collection, and Historic Clay Tobacco Pipe Studies,
Volume 1 (1980); reviewed by Edward F. Heite. Historical Archaeology
17(l):116.
Projects normally result in a formal written report with appropriate illustrations. One current
primary research focus is phytolith analysis of plant and soil samples. Publication support
is also available. Recent publications and related books are listed here
For more information about our ability to help solve your particular analytical or laboratory
problem, contact us here.
JSE Consulting began offering quantitative phytolith consulting support and contract analysis in 2000, and has actively worked and grown in the field for 19 years. My Ph.D. research involved a detailed study of phytoliths from prairie and riparian settings in the Great Plains, USA. Contract phytolith analysis has been performed for academic customers, state agencies, and consulting firms as well as individual researchers.
Proficiency has also been developed in sponge spicule analysis, and a colleague is available who is able to perform expert diatom analysis. All work is documented with pertinent photographs as well as laboratory procedures and detailed interpretation in a formal publishable report.
In addition to recovery and analysis of biogenic silica (phytoliths, diatoms, freshwater sponge spicules, and statospores [statocysts, or Chrysophycean Cysts]), components in the sand fraction are also documented, photographed, illustrated, and detailed in the final report. Recent reports have included snails, bones, teeth, charophyte oogonia, charcoal, foraminifera, flake debris, and seeds. Example publications and project reports are listed below.
My background as a career analytical chemist enables me to assist in solving various laboratory-related problems. Site visits have been made to various laboratories to diagnose and solve sample processing problems encountered by others.
My quantitative phytolith analyses are performed at JSE's state of the art analytical laboratory. Co-researchers, customers, and students who have visited the facility always leave favorably impressed.
I would be glad to discuss your project scope and goals, and discuss how our phytolith expertise may be able to contribute to your study.
J. Byron Sudbury, Ph.D., RPA
jschemistry@hotmail.com
Phytolith Books:
Sudbury, JB. Quantitative Phytolith Analysis—A Working Example from Modern Prairie Soils
and Buried Holocene A Horizons. Phytolith Press, Ponca City, Oklahoma. 288 p. [2011]
Review Available: Cordova, Carlos. 2012. Book Review: Quantitative Phytolith
Analysis—A Working Example from Modern Prairie Soils
and Buried Holocene A Horizons Holocene Book Reviews.
The Holocene 22(10). [2012R]
Sudbury, JB. Biogenic Silica from an Opossum Creek Soil Profile, Nowata County, Oklahoma,
USA. Phytolith Press, Ponca City, Oklahoma. 107 p. [2011]
Sudbury, JB. (Compiler). Phytolith References. Phytolith Press, Ponca City, Oklahoma. 298 p. [2011]
Recent Publications:
Carter, BJ, JP Kelley, JB Sudbury, and DK Splinter. Key Aspects of A Horizon Formation of
Selected Buried Soils in Late Holocene Alluvium; Southern Prairies, USA. Soil Science
174(7):408-416. [2009]
Bement, LC, BJ Carter, RA Varney, LS Cummings, and J Sudbury. Paleoenvironmental
reconstruction and bio-stratigraphy, Oklahoma Panhandle, USA. Quaternary International 169-
170:39–50. [2007]
Recent Professional Meeting Presentations:
Meyers, JD, JB Sudbury, RD Jantz, and N Hercyk. 2015. Novel Approach for Removing Selenium
from Phillips 66 Ponca City, OK Refinery Effluent. American Fuels & Petrochemical Manufacturers
(AFPM), Oct 19 2015 (Salt Lake City, UT). [2015]
Sudbury, JB. Phytolith Insights into the Paleoenvironment during the mid-Holocene Calf
Creek Culture. (SAA Austin, April 26, 2014)
Sudbury, JB. Quantitative Phytolith Analysis: A Key to Understanding Buried Soils
and Reconstructing Paleoenvironments. 8th IMPR [International Meeting of
Phytolith Researchers], Estes Park, CO, USA (September 16, 2011).
Sudbury, JB. Sponge Spicules: An Underutilized Soil Biogenic Silica Resource. 8th IMPR,
Estes Park, CO, USA (September 17, 2011).
Sudbury, JB, and WJ Hunt, Jr. Politics of the Fur Trade: Clay Tobacco Pipes at Fort Union, North
Dakota. Society of Historical Archaeology Annual Meeting (January 12), Albuquerque, NM.
[Images and color slides reproduced in Sudbury and Hunt 2009a:143-173]. [2008; printed version
available in Sudbury 2009]
Example Project Reports:
Sudbury, JB. Biogenic Silica Study of Selected Stinnett Bison Sediment Samples (41HC220). 22 p.
(ms sent to client Dec. 31, 2016)
Sudbury, JB. Survey Prior to Stabilization of Section of Arkansas River Bank, Kay County,
Oklahoma: Archeological Inspection. 28 p. (ms submitted to client 5-17-16)
Sudbury, JB. Zemple Core Paleoenvironmental Data—Biogenic Silica. 44 p. (ms sent to client
Jan. 22, 2016)
Sudbury, JB. Appendix E: Biogenic Silica Assessment of Sediment Samples from the Soil Profile
and Select Cultural Features at 41TV2161, pp. 600-659. In Big Hole (41TV2161): Two
Stratigraphically Isolated Middle Holocene Components in Travis County, Texas. Quigg,
JM, BG Bury, RA Ricklis, PM Matchen, S Gray, CD Frederick, T Osburn, and E Schroeder.
830 pp. [2016]
Sudbury, JB. Appendix D: Phytolith and Biogenic Silica Assessment of Select Sediment Samples
from 41BL278, pp 173-199. In Archeological Testing of TxDOT Right-of-Way through Site
41BL278, Bell County, Texas. Quigg, JM, and CD Frederick. 252 pp. [2015b]
Sudbury, JB. Appendix J: Biogenic Silica Assessment of Sediment Samples from 41MS69, pp.
325-260. In Eligibility Assessment of the Slippery Slope Site (41MS69) in TxDOT Right-of-Way in
Mason County, Texas. Quigg, JM, PM Matchen, CD Frederick, and RA Ricklis. 395 pp. [2015a]
Sudbury, JB. Appendix B: Biogenic Silica Recovery from Carbonate-enriched Soils--Observations
from Past Samples. 22 p. (9-25-14 ms sent to client) [2014b]
Sudbury, JB. Appendix F: Environmental Biosilica Data 41LM50 and 41LM51: Early Archaic Through
Late Prehistoric Periods, pp. 303-348. In Eligibility Testing at Three Prehistoric Sites at Lynch
Creek, Lampasas County, Texas. Quigg, JM, PM Matchen, RA Ricklis, S Gray, CD Frederick,
and J Barrett. 406 pp. [2014a]
Sudbury, JB. Phytolith Isolation from xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sediment Samples, xxxxxxxxxxxx, Texas.
25 p. (ms sent to client 3-13-13).
Sudbury, JB. Appendix B. 41RB112 Sediment Sample Phytolith Analysis, pp 707-766. In Quigg, JM,
PM Matchen, CD Frederick, and RA Ricklis. Long View (41RB1112): Data Recovery of Two
Plains Village Period Components in Roberts County, Texas Volume II. Texas Department of
Transportation Environmental Affairs Division, Archeological Studies Program, Report No. 147.
Austin, Texas. [2013]
Sudbury, JB. Appendix E. Phytoliths Present in a Buried Soil and Selected Cultural Features at
41YN452, pp. 449-488. In Quigg, JM, PM Matchen, CD Frederick, and RA Ricklis. Root-Be-Gone
(41YN452): Data Recovery of Late Archaic Components in Young County, Texas, Volume 2.
Texas Department of Transportation Environmental Affairs Division, Archeological Studies
Program, Report No. 135. Austin, Texas. [2011]
Sudbury, JB. Phytoliths from Features at Two Gunnison County Archaeological Sites 5GN2404
and 5GN2262 [Appendix C]. In Moore, S, and J Firor Archaeological Data Recovery At Six Sites
Along The Blue Mesa-Skito 115-Kv Transmission Line, Gunnison County, Colorado. Western
Area Power Administration Contract Report. [2009]
Sudbury, JB. Sewright Site (39FA1603) Phytolith Analysis. J. S. Enterprises Project Report
2007-2. [2007]
Sudbury, JB. Appendix C: Phytolith Analysis Indicates Activity Areas at a Late Prehistoric
Site (34CN176), pp. 145-156. In A Reconnaissance Survey Defining Prehistoric through Historic
Occupation of the Divide Separating the Canadian and North Canadian Rivers Between Geary and
Calumet, Oklahoma, by Drass RR, and MW McKay. Archeological Resource Survey Report No. 53.
The University of Oklahoma. [2006]
Material Culture Reports and Publications (Archeology):
Sudbury, JB. Politics of the Fur Trade: Clay Tobacco Pipes at Fort Union Trading Post
NHS (32WI117). Clay Pipes Press. 225 p. [project funded via NPS Challenge Cost Share
Program] [2009]
Review Available: Richner, Jeffrey J. 2009. Book Review: Politics of the Fur
Trade: Clay Tobacco Pipes at Fort Union Trading Post (32WI17). Historic Clay Tobacco Pipe Studies Research Monograph Number
2. Plains Anthropologist Vol. 54, Issue 212 (365-368). [RM1 RM2R]
Sudbury, JB. "Clay Tobacco pipes form the Tortugas Shipwreck (1622)." In Stemm, G, and S
Kingsley (Eds.) Oceans Odyssey 4 Oxbow Books, Oxford. [2014]
Sudbury, JB. “The Jacksonville ‘Blue China’ Shipwreck (Site BA02): Clay Tobacco Pipes,"
pp. 263-286. In Stemm, G, and S Kingsley (Eds.) Oceans Odyssey 2 Underwater
Heritage Management & Deep-Sea Shipwrecks in the English Channel & Atlantic Ocean. Odyssey
Marine Exploration Reports 2. Oxbow Books, Oxford. [2011]
Sudbury, JB, and SP Jung, Jr. United States of America [Clay Pipes]. Journal of the Académie
Internationale de la Pipe 2011 (for 2009) 2:137-148. pdf
Pfeiffer, MA, RT Gartley, and JB Sudbury. President Pipes: Origin and Distribution. Wyoming
Archaeologist. 50(1). [2007]
Pfeiffer, MA, RT Gartley, and JB Sudbury. “President Pipes: Origin and Distribution.” Presented at
the 8th South Central Historical Archeology Conference Memphis, Tennessee (28 October). [2007]
Sudbury, B. A SIXTEENTH CENTURY SPANISH COLONIAL TRADE BEAD FROM WESTERN
OKLAHOMA. Wyckoff, DG (Ed.), Bulletin of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society Vol. XXXIII.
(1984) [34RM14]
Sudbury, B. Ka-3, THE DEER CREEK SITE. An Eighteenth Century French Contact Site in Kay
County, Oklahoma. Wyckoff, DG (Ed.), Bulletin of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society
XXIV:1-135. (1976) [34KA3]
Review Available: Sudbury, Byron. “KA-3, The Deer Creek Site: An Eighteenth
Century French Contact Site in Kay County, Oklahoma”. Bulletin
of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society (1976); reviewed by Mary
Elizabeth Good. Historical Archaeology 12:114-16.
Sudbury, B. Ka-131, THE BOWLING ALLEY SITE: A Late Prehistoric Site in Kay County, Oklahoma.
Wyckoff, DG (Ed.), Oklahoma Bulletin of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society XVII:87-135.
(1968) [34KA131]
Reviews:
Sudbury, JB. Book Review: The Archaeology of the Clay Tobacco Pipe XII. Chesapeake Bay.
BAR International Series 466; Liverpool Monographs in Archaeology and Oriental Studies No. 14.
Davey, P, and D J Pogue (Eds.) British Archaeological Reports, 122. Oxford, England. 1991,
114 p. Journal of Middle Atlantic Archaeology 11:168-170. (1995)
Sudbury, JB. Book Review: Clay Tobacco-Pipes, with Particular Reference to the Bristol Industry,
by IC Walker. Historic Archaeology (R)14:126-128. (1980)
Review of Sudbury publications:
Sudbury, Byron. Historic Clay Tobacco Pipes Manufactured in the
USA—A Slide Collection, and Historic Clay Tobacco Pipe Studies,
Volume 1 (1980); reviewed by Edward F. Heite. Historical Archaeology
17(l):116.
Projects normally result in a formal written report with appropriate illustrations. One current
primary research focus is phytolith analysis of plant and soil samples. Publication support
is also available. Recent publications and related books are listed here
For more information about our ability to help solve your particular analytical or laboratory
problem, contact us here.