A Handbook of geoarchaeological approaches for investigating landscapes and settlement sites / Charles French.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

French, C. A. I. (Charles A. I.), author.

Series:

Studying scientific archaeology ; 1.

Studying Scientific Archaeology ; 1

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Archaeological geology.

Landscape archaeology.

Physical Description:

vi, 118 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxbow, 2015.

Summary:

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. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Introduction 1

2 Approaches to investigating landscapes 5

Theoretical and methodological considerations 8

Factors affecting archaeological recovery and environmental evidence 11

Formulating research designs 18

Investigating wetland landscapes 27

Investigating dryland systems 34

Investigating temperate landscapes 38

3 Examples of fieldwork strategies and sampling applications for investigating landscapes 41

The lower Wetland valley and Cambridgeshire fen-edge, eastern England 41

The chalk downlands of Cranborne Chases and Wessex, southern England 43

The central Rio Puerco valley, New Mexico 50

The Rio lea valley, Peru 54

The prehistoric landscape of Herm island 62

4 Approaches to investigating settlement sites 69

Sampling strategies and techniques 70

5 Examples of fieldwork strategies and sampling applications for investigating settlements 75

Saar, Bahrain 75

Kaupang, Norway 78

Crossiecrown, Orkney 79

6 Integration: Sampling and method combinations 83

7 Conclusions 88.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references: (pages [101]-114)

ISBN:

9781785700910

178570091X

OCLC:

911068539