Archaeological Soil and Sediment Micromorphology

497 Pages·2017·46.72 MB·English

by  Cristiano Nicosia

Archaeological Soil and Sediment Micromorphology
Archaeological Soil and Sediment Micromorphology
Edited by
Dr. Cristiano Nicosia
Centre de Recherches en Archéologie et Patrimoine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
and
Em. Prof. Dr. Georges Stoops
Vakgroep Geologie, Faculteit Wetenschappen, Universiteit Gent, Belgium
This edition first published 2017
© 2017 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Nicosia, Cristiano, 1978– editor. | Stoops, Georges, editor.
Title: Archaeological soil and sediment micromorphology / edited by Dr. Cristiano Nicosia, Centre de Recherches en Archaologie et Patrimoine,
Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, and Dr. Georges R. Stoops, Vakgroep Geologie, Faculteit Wetenschappen, Universiteit Gent, Belgium.
Description: Hoboken, NJ : Wiley, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2017012528 (print) | LCCN 2017013126 (ebook) | ISBN 9781118941072 (pdf) | ISBN 9781118941089 (epub) |
ISBN 9781118941058 (cloth)
Subjects: LCSH: Soil micromorphology. | Soils–Analysis. | Archaeology. | Sediments (Geology)–Analysis.
Classification: LCC S593.2 (ebook) | LCC S593.2 .A725 2017 (print) | DDC 631.4–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017012528
Cover Design: Wiley
Cover Image: Original image by M.G. Canti
Set in 10/12pt Warnock by SPi Global, Pondicherry, India
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

v
Contents
Contributors xiii
Referees xvii
Abbreviations xix
Introduction 1
Georges Stoops and Cristiano Nicosia
I.1 Aims and Structure of the Book 1
I.2 Definition and History of Soil Micromorphology 1
I.3 Micromorphology and Archaeology 2
I.4 Use of Micromorphology in Geoarchaeology 2
I.5 Techniques 4
I.6 Concluding Remarks 5
References 5
Part I Inclusions in Archaeological Soils and Sediments 9
1 Bone and Other Skeletal Tissues 11
Ximena S. Villagran, Dirk J. Huisman, Susan M. Mentzer, Christopher E. Miller and Miranda M. Jans
1.1 Introduction 11
1.2 Micromorphology 11
1.3 Taphonomy of Bone 20
1.4 Guidelines for Micromorphological Analysis 32
References 33
2 Avian Eggshell 39
Matthew G. Canti
2.1 Introduction 39
2.2 Biological Characteristics 39
2.3 Optical and Morphological Properties 39
2.4 Examples 39
2.5 Conclusions 39
References 41
3 Mollusc Shell 43
Matthew G. Canti
3.1 Biological Characteristics 43
3.2 Optical and Morphological Properties 43
3.3 Examples 43
3.4 Conclusions 46
References 46
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4 Biospheroids Produced by Earthworms 47
Matthew G. Canti
4.1 Introduction 47
4.2 Morphological and Optical Characteristics 47
4.3 Preservation Potential 47
4.4 Archaeological Examples 47
4.5 Arion Granules 49
References 49
5 Faecal Spherulites 51
Matthew G. Canti and Jacques Élie Brochier
5.1 Introduction 51
5.2 Biological Characteristics 51
5.3 Optical Characteristics 51
5.4 Preservation Potential 53
5.5 Archaeological Examples 53
References 54
6 Excrements of Herbivores 55
David Brönnimann, Kristin Ismail‐Meyer, Philippe Rentzel, Christine Pümpin and Lenka Lisá
6.1 Introduction 55
6.2 Micromorphology 55
6.3 Taphonomy 60
References 63
7 Excrements of Omnivores and Carnivores 67
David Brönnimann, Christine Pümpin, Kristin Ismail‐Meyer, Philippe Rentzel and Natàlia Égüez
7.1 Introduction 67
7.2 Excrements of Omnivores 67
7.3 Excrements of Carnivores 69
7.4 Human Excrements 75
7.5 Future Research 77
References 78
8 Guano 83
Panagiotis Karkanas
8.1 Introduction 83
8.2 Micromorphology 83
8.3 Archaeological Implications 86
8.4 Future Prospects 87
References 87
9 Ova of Intestinal Parasites 91
Christine Pümpin, Matthieu Le Bailly and Sandra Pichler
9.1 Introduction 91
9.2 Characteristics of Specific Parasite Eggs 91
9.3 Limitations of the Study of Helminth Eggs in Micromorphological
Thin Sections 94
9.4 C onclusion 96
References 96
10 Earth Construction Materials 99
David E. Friesem, Julia Wattez and Marylise Onfray
10.1 Introduction 99
10.2 Mud Bricks 99
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10.3 Cob 102
10.4 Wattle and Daub 104
10.5 Conclusion 106
References 107
11 Laterite as Construction Material 111
Georges Stoops
References 112
12 Turf as Construction Material 113
Dirk J. Huisman and Karen B. Milek
12.1 Introduction 113
12.2 Micromorphology 114
References 118
13 Plant Remains 121
Kristin Ismail‐Meyer
13.1 Introduction 121
13.2 Micromorphology 122
13.3 Future Prospects 130
References 133
14 Chaff 137
Cristiano Nicosia and Matthew G. Canti
14.1 Introduction 137
14.2 Micromorphology 137
14.3 Conclusion 139
References 139
15 Charred Plant Remains 141
Matthew G. Canti
References 142
16 Coal 143
Matthew G. Canti
16.1 Introduction 143
16.2 Types of Coal (after Read 1971) 143
16.3 Optical and Morphological Properties 143
16.4 Alteration of Coal by Burning 144
16.5 Archaeological Examples 144
16.6 Conclusions 145
References 145
17 Plant Ash 147
Matthew G. Canti and Jacques Élie Brochier
17.1 Introduction 147
17.2 Micromorphology 147
17.3 Ash Taphonomy 152
References 153
18 Opal Phytoliths 155
Luc Vrydaghs, Yannick Devos and Ákos Pető
18.1 Introduction 155
18.2 Micromorphology 155
18.3 Brief Review of Previous Micromorphological Studies Reporting Phytoliths 157
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18.4 Deposition and Accumulation in Archaeological Units 157
References 160
19 Siliceous Microfossils from Single‐Celled Organisms: Diatoms and Chrysophycean Stomatocysts 165
Elie Verleyen, Koen Sabbe, Wim Vyverman and Cristiano Nicosia
19.1 Introduction 165
19.2 Habitat Preferences of Diatoms and Chrysophycean Cysts 165
19.3 Identification of Siliceous Microfossils produced by Single‐Celled Organisms 165
19.4 Siliceous Microfossils from Single‐Celled Organisms in Archaeological Soil Micromorphology 168
References 168
20 Opal Sponge Spicules 171
Luc Vrydaghs
20.1 Introduction 171
20.2 Micromorphology 171
References 172
21 Burnt Soils and Sediments 173
Astrid Röpke and Carlo Dietl
21.1 Introduction 173
21.2 Physical, Chemical, Mineralogical and Micromorphological Changes 173
21.3 Experiments at Different Temperature Regimes 175
21.4 Conclusion 177
References 178
22 Burnt Carbonates 181
Matthew G. Canti
22.1 Introduction 181
22.2 Thermal Diagenesis of Carbonate Materials 181
22.3 Carbonate Materials from Different Temperature Regimes 181
22.4 Archaeological Examples 183
22.5 Conclusions 183
References 188
23 Calcareous Mortars, Plasters and Floors 189
Georges Stoops, Matthew G. Canti and Selim Kapur
23.1 Introduction 189
23.2 Micromorphology 189
23.3 Alteration of Mortars and Plasters 196
23.4 Conclusion 197
References 197
24 Gypsic Mortars and Plasters 201
Georges Stoops, Alexander Tsatskin and Matthew G. Canti
24.1 Introduction 201
24.2 Micromorphology 201
24.3 Alteration 203
24.4 Conclusion 203
References 204
25 Ceramic Materials 205
Lara Maritan
25.1 Introduction 205
25.2 Micromorphology 205
25.3 Conclusion 210
References 210
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Contents ix
26 Metals and Metalworking Residues 213
Ivana Angelini, Gilberto Artioli and Cristiano Nicosia
26.1 Introduction 213
26.2 Micromorphology 214
26.3 Conclusions 220
References 221
27 Lithic Artefacts 223
Diego E. Angelucci
27.1 Introduction 223
27.2 Micromorphology 224
27.3 Discussion 226
References 229
Part II Current Topics in Archaeological Soil and Sediment Micromorphology 231
28 Soils Disturbed by Vegetation Clearance and Tillage 233
Judit Deák, Anne Gebhardt, Helen Lewis, Maria Raimonda Usai, and Heejin Lee
28.1 Introduction 233
28.2 Micromorphological Features related to Vegetation Clearance by Fire 235
28.3 Micromorphological Features Indicative of Bare Surfaces 238
28.4 Micromorphology of Structural and Textural Features Revealing the use of Implements 247
28.5 Final Remarks 259
References 259
29 Animal Gathering Enclosures 265
Ruth Shahack‐Gross
29.1 Introduction 265
29.2 Organic‐Rich Dung Deposits 267
29.3 Organic‐Poor Dung Deposits 270
29.4 Conclusion 275
References 279
30 Trampling, Poaching and the Effect of Traffic 281
Philippe Rentzel, Cristiano Nicosia, Anne Gebhardt, David Brönnimann,
Christine Pümpin and Kristin Ismail‐Meyer
30.1 Introduction 281
30.2 Trampling 281
30.3 Poaching 286
30.4 Traffic 287
30.5 Experimentally Trampled Sediments and Surfaces 287
30.6 Conclusion 293
References 295
31 Combustion Features 299
Carolina Mallol, Susan M. Mentzer and Christopher E. Miller
31.1 Introduction 299
31.2 Classification of Combustion Features 300
31.3 Analytical Strategy 300
31.4 Common Microscopic Products of Combustion 300
31.5 Stratigraphy, Fabric and Classification of Intact Combustion Structures 301
31.6 Stratigraphy and Fabric of Physically Reworked Combustion Structures 315
31.7 Microscopic Evidence for Chemical Diagenesis of Intact and Reworked Combustion Structures 320
31.8 Synthesis 322
31.9 Conclusion 324
References 326
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