Geoarchaeology is a major branch of archaeological science at the interfaces between geology, geography and archaeology, involving the combined study of archaeological, soil and geomorphological records and the recognition of how natural, climatic and human-induced processes alter landscapes. The formation and modification of past soils, and occupation sequences can be examined primarily through the use of soil micromorphological techniques and various physical and geo-chemical techniques.
This short text aims to explain some of the basics of geoarchaeological approaches and research design used to tackle the investigation of landscapes and settlement archaeology, and the application of soil micromorphology to archaeological situations. The intention is to present a basic handbook of good practice, with case studies and examples, that any archaeologist or aspiring geoarchaeologist can use.
List of Figures
List of Tables
Acknowledgements
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Approaches to investigating landscapes
Theoretical and methodological considerations
Factors affecting archaeological and environmental evidence recovery
Formulating research design
Investigating wetland landscapes
Investigating dryland landscapes
3. Examples of fieldwork strategies and sampling applications
The lower Welland valley, Cambridgeshire
The chalk downlands of Cranborne Chase and the Stonehenge area
The Rio Puerco valley, New Mexico
The Rio Ica valley, Peru
Herm, the Channel Islands
4. Approaches to investigating settlement sites
Sampling strategies and techniques
5. Examples of fieldwork strategies and sampling applications
Saar, Bahrain
Kaupang, Norway
Crossiecrown, Orkney
6. Integration: Sampling and methods combinations
7. Conclusions
Essential texts
References
Appendices
1. Basic physical and geo-chemical methods of analysis
2. Sampling for soil/sediment micromorphological analysis
3. Making soil/sediment thin sections: from the field to finished slide using the Brot grinding system, with Tonko Rajkovača and Julie Boreham
