Post-depositional alterations across varying sediment types from archaeological inhumation burials : a geoarchaeological approach
The relationships between inhumation burial and the surrounding sediment in archaeological graves were investigated through micromorphology. Samples were collected from four archaeological sites (HofstaĂ°ir, Al Khiday, Tel Qarassa and Sala Vastmaal) of varying sediment types and an experimental pig burial in a sandy sediment (UK). Micromorphological analyses from burial sediments at HofstaĂ°ir (Iceland) combined with results from organic geochemical analyses demonstrate complementarity of the two approaches for interpretation of the fate of the buried remains. Micromorphological observations from a single sample block vary between multiple thin sections oriented perpendicular or tangential to the remains, reflecting differences in these sediments at the centimetre to millimetre scale. Mineral weathering pathways differ between grave sediments and controls and at some sites mineral weathering was significantly accelerated in grave sediments. Results suggest that thin section analysis of post-depositional sediment processes and activities of detrital populations affecting sediment minerals could be used as trace proxy evidence of past inhumation burials. Such mineralogical changes may persist in grave sediments
Burns, Annika
Post-depositional alterations across varying sediment types from archaeological inhumation burials : a geoarchaeological approach. The relationships between inhumation burial and the surrounding sediment in archaeological graves were investigated through micromorphology. Samples were collected from four archaeological sites (HofstaĂ°ir, Al Khiday, Tel Qarassa and Sala Vastmaal) of varying sediment types and an experimental pig burial in a sandy sediment (UK). Micromorphological analyses from burial sediments at HofstaĂ°ir (Iceland) combined with results from organic geochemical analyses demonstrate complementarity of the two approaches for interpretation of the fate of the buried remains. Micromorphological observations from a single sample block vary between multiple thin sections oriented perpendicular or tangential to the remains, reflecting differences in these sediments at the centimetre to millimetre scale. Mineral weathering pathways differ between grave sediments and controls and at some sites mineral weathering was significantly accelerated in grave sediments. Results suggest that thin section analysis of post-depositional sediment processes and activities of detrital populations affecting sediment minerals could be used as trace proxy evidence of past inhumation burials. Such mineralogical changes may persist in grave sediments
post_depositional alteration across vary sediment type archaeological inhumation burial geoarchaeological approach relationship inhumation burial surround sediment archaeological graf investigate micromorphology samples collect archaeological_site vary sediment type experimental pig burial sediment micromorphological_analysis burial sediment iceland combine organic geochemical_analysis complementarity two_approach interpretation fate bury remains micromorphological observation single sample block vary multiple thin_section orient remain reflect difference sediment scale mineral weathering pathway differ grave sediment control site mineral weather significantly accelerate grave sediment suggest thin_section analysis post_depositional sediment process activity population affect sediment mineral could_use trace proxy evidence past inhumation burial mineralogical change may persist grave sediment