Archaeological deposits, environmental impact and local soil formation at Marco Gonzalez, Belize
The research focuses on the site of Marco Gonzalez on Ambergris Caye, Belize. The site is characterised by dark-coloured surface soils and broadleaf vegetation that stand in contrast to the caye's sandy sediments and surrounding vegetation. Research has previously identified dark earths at the site, and increased soil nutrients and mass, in association with human activities. My research evaluates ancient human activities, with emphasis on waste outputs, to identify potential features that could affect environmental impact in the long-term. The research is a pilot project that examines different datasets and approaches for their value to the research aims. I present an archaeobotanical investigation (macro and phytolith) to investigate what this dataset can tell us about human-plant relationships and on-site activities. I also present the first application of life cycle assessment (LCA) at Marco Gonzalez. LCA is used to assess which waste materials and deposition periods had the greatest potential for environmental impact. The archaeobotanical results suggest a change in plant use over time that corresponds to the broad changes in occupation demonstrated by other evidence. Broadly, the assemblages contain a
Duncan, Lindsay May
Archaeological deposits, environmental impact and local soil formation at Marco Gonzalez, Belize. The research focuses on the site of Marco Gonzalez on Ambergris Caye, Belize. The site is characterised by dark-coloured surface soils and broadleaf vegetation that stand in contrast to the caye's sandy sediments and surrounding vegetation. Research has previously identified dark earths at the site, and increased soil nutrients and mass, in association with human activities. My research evaluates ancient human activities, with emphasis on waste outputs, to identify potential features that could affect environmental impact in the long-term. The research is a pilot project that examines different datasets and approaches for their value to the research aims. I present an archaeobotanical investigation (macro and phytolith) to investigate what this dataset can tell us about human-plant relationships and on-site activities. I also present the first application of life cycle assessment (LCA) at Marco Gonzalez. LCA is used to assess which waste materials and deposition periods had the greatest potential for environmental impact. The archaeobotanical results suggest a change in plant use over time that corresponds to the broad changes in occupation demonstrated by other evidence. Broadly, the assemblages contain a
archaeological_deposit environmental_impact local soil formation belize focus site belize site characterise dark coloured surface soil vegetation stand contrast sediment surround vegetation previously_identify dark earth site increase soil nutrient mass association human_activity evaluates ancient human_activity emphasis waste output identify_potential feature could_affect environmental_impact long_term pilot project_examine different datasets approach value aim present archaeobotanical_investigation macro phytolith investigate dataset tell human plant relationship site activity also_present first application life_cycle assessment use assess waste material deposition period potential environmental_impact archaeobotanical suggest change plant_use time correspond broad change occupation demonstrate evidence broadly assemblage contain