The Coleoptera from Flag Fen

The study of insect remains, particularly Coleoptera (beetles), from archaeological deposits can give palaeoecological information on a wide range of aspects of site environment and human activity. Some of this supplements other lines of evidence, for example the results of pollen analysis and the identifications of macroscopic plant remains can be supported by the food plant requirements of the more host-specific phytophagous Coleoptera present in a sample. However, there are other aspects of site ecology for which insects provide the main evidence. In particular, there are distinct faunas associated with various categories of structural, stored and decaying organic material.