Soils and Micromorphology in Archaeology (Cambridge Manuals in Archaeology)

Although soil science has been recognized as a crucial aspect of environmental archaeology since the 1950s, only with the development of micromorphology has its full potential been realized. After a historical introduction and sections on basic field description, samplingand More...macro-scopic analysis, the authors concentrate accordingly on microscopic studies and the preparation, analysis, and interpretation of thin sections. Sedimentation and natural pedological processes are discussed and characterized, but the focus throughout remains squarely on the information micromorphology can provide about early human behavior. Fire, organic occupation remains, agriculture, and buildings are examined in detail, and an extensive range of case studies is provided to underline the world-wide application of the techniques discussed