Geoarchaeology

Geoarchaeology is a multi-disciplinary approach which uses the techniques and subject matter of geography, geology, geophysics and other Earth sciences to examine topics which inform archaeological and chronological knowledge and thought.

[1] Geoarchaeology is important to society because it informs archaeologists about the geomorphology of the soil, sediment, and rocks on the buried sites and artifacts they are researching.

Geoarchaeology is considered a sub-field of environmental archaeology because soil can be altered by human behavior, which archaeologists are then able to study and reconstruct past landscapes and conditions.

If more than one tin is needed they are arranged offset and overlapping to one side so the complete profile can be rebuilt offsite in laboratory conditions.

Therefore, it doesn't take long for human occupation to make orders of magnitude differences in the phosphate concentration in soil.

Phosphate concentrations can be plotted on archaeological plans to show former activity areas and are also used to prospect for sites on the broader landscape.

A rotating clock glass with a very fine-grained dispersed sample under a heat lamp helps separate particles.

The fractions received can be further investigated for cultural indicators, macro- and microfossils, and other interesting features, so particle size analysis is the first step in handling these samples.

They can then study the trace element composition of obsidian outcrops to determine the original source of the raw material used to make the artifact.

[3] Naturally occurring Ostracods in freshwater bodies are impacted by changes in salinity and pH due to human activities.

This record can be correlated with age-dating techniques to help identify changes in human habitation patterns and population migrations.