An investigation into the micromorphology and inorganic geochemistry of Prehistoric, Hellenistic and Roman graves
Burials are an important feature of archaeological investigations as they reveal information on the cultural and emotional significance of death and the dead by studying the placement of the body, pre-burial treatment of the body as well as grave goods (Parker-Pearson, 2003, Stutz, 2003). In addition to this a wealth of dietary, health and population information can also be obtained through the study of the skeleton (MĂŒldner & Richards, 2007). However the majority of burial investigations focus on the macro remains and microanalytical studies are rarely undertaken, meaning that the soil in contact with the burial is currently underutilised and therefore any information contained in the soil is at present being lost. This research takes a novel approach to the study of Prehistoric, Hellenistic and Roman burials by using microanalytical techniques, specifically micromorphology and complimentary inorganic geochemical analysis to unlock the hidden archive within the soils in contact with the inhumation. The aim of this research is to identify micromorphological and inorganic geochemical evidence that can be related to the degradation products of the body, grave goods and burial practices. This will be achieved
Williams, Helen
An investigation into the micromorphology and inorganic geochemistry of Prehistoric, Hellenistic and Roman graves. Burials are an important feature of archaeological investigations as they reveal information on the cultural and emotional significance of death and the dead by studying the placement of the body, pre-burial treatment of the body as well as grave goods (Parker-Pearson, 2003, Stutz, 2003). In addition to this a wealth of dietary, health and population information can also be obtained through the study of the skeleton (MĂŒldner & Richards, 2007). However the majority of burial investigations focus on the macro remains and microanalytical studies are rarely undertaken, meaning that the soil in contact with the burial is currently underutilised and therefore any information contained in the soil is at present being lost. This research takes a novel approach to the study of Prehistoric, Hellenistic and Roman burials by using microanalytical techniques, specifically micromorphology and complimentary inorganic geochemical analysis to unlock the hidden archive within the soils in contact with the inhumation. The aim of this research is to identify micromorphological and inorganic geochemical evidence that can be related to the degradation products of the body, grave goods and burial practices. This will be achieved
investigation micromorphology inorganic geochemistry prehistoric hellenistic_roman grave burials important_feature archaeological_investigation reveal information cultural emotional significance death dead study placement body pre burial treatment body well grave_good addition wealth dietary health population information also obtain study skeleton and however majority burial investigation focus macro remain study rarely undertaken mean soil contact burial currently therefore information_contain soil present lose take novel study prehistoric hellenistic_roman burials use techniques specifically micromorphology complimentary inorganic geochemical_analysis unlock hidden archive within soil contact inhumation aim_identify micromorphological inorganic geochemical evidence_relate degradation product body grave_good burial_practice achieve