Experimental archaeology and the formation processes of the archaeological record : the effects of trampling and soil fauna on geological evidence of metalworking
This is an experimental investigation of some archaeological site formation processes. The investigation used laboratory based container experiments to study differential earthworm bioturbation of soil lead and copper with macro-artefacts using Lumbricus terrestris and Eisenia fetida, during six month studies. A second experiment traced the geochemistry of experimental metal working at Butser Ancient Farm, Hampshire, both spatially and in depth profile. Soil chemical analysis in all cases followed a similar technique, using aqua regia pseudo-total extraction soil digests, followed by analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICPOES). The soil chemical patterns developed in a new experimental metalworking hut at Butser Ancient Farm were confined almost totally to the top 5cm of the soil profile, but could not conclusively be related to the number of episodes of metalworking in the hut. This was mostly due to the effects of trampling, and frequent reconstruction of the metalworking furnaces. Thirdly, the effects of trampling on artificially seeded macro-artefacts were related to chemical traces within the soil at experimental metal working sites at Butser Ancient Farm. Sedimentological
Speed, Christopher
Experimental archaeology and the formation processes of the archaeological record : the effects of trampling and soil fauna on geological evidence of metalworking. This is an experimental investigation of some archaeological site formation processes. The investigation used laboratory based container experiments to study differential earthworm bioturbation of soil lead and copper with macro-artefacts using Lumbricus terrestris and Eisenia fetida, during six month studies. A second experiment traced the geochemistry of experimental metal working at Butser Ancient Farm, Hampshire, both spatially and in depth profile. Soil chemical analysis in all cases followed a similar technique, using aqua regia pseudo-total extraction soil digests, followed by analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICPOES). The soil chemical patterns developed in a new experimental metalworking hut at Butser Ancient Farm were confined almost totally to the top 5cm of the soil profile, but could not conclusively be related to the number of episodes of metalworking in the hut. This was mostly due to the effects of trampling, and frequent reconstruction of the metalworking furnaces. Thirdly, the effects of trampling on artificially seeded macro-artefacts were related to chemical traces within the soil at experimental metal working sites at Butser Ancient Farm. Sedimentological
experimental_archaeology formation_process archaeological_record effect soil fauna geological evidence metalworking experimental_investigation archaeological_site formation_process investigation use laboratory base container study differential soil lead copper macro artefacts use study second trace geochemistry experimental metal_work ancient farm hampshire spatially depth profile soil chemical_analysis case follow_similar technique_use pseudo total extraction soil follow analysis use inductively_coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy soil chemical pattern develop_new experimental metalworking hut ancient farm confine almost totally top soil_profile could related number episode metalworking hut mostly due effect frequent reconstruction metalworking furnace thirdly effect artificially seed macro artefacts related chemical trace within soil experimental metal_work site ancient farm