Institute of Archaeology
University College London
INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY
UCL - INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY
GEOARCHAEOLOGY:
SEDIMENTS AND SITE FORMATION PROCESSES
ARCL 2017
Term I, 2014/5, Room 612
Thursday 11:00-13:00
Year 2/3 Option, 0.5 unit
Turnitin Class ID: 783195
Turnitin Password IoA1415
Co-ordinator: Dr Manuel Arroyo-Kalin
E-mail: m.arroyo-kalin@ucl.ac.uk - Room 401, Tel 02076797523 (Internal 27523)
ARCL 2017
Geoarchaeology: Sediments and Site Formation Processes
This course is an introduction to the study of the physical properties of landscapes as they
pertain to archaeological evidence. Students will review key principles of physical geography,
learn approaches to study site formation processes, examine different geoarchaeological case
studies, and gain initial laboratory experience in the use of techniques to characterise
sediments and soils in archaeological contexts.
Week I.
Session 1.
Session 2.
02 October 2014
Introduction: Geoarchaeology’s history and goals
Basic geoarchaeological concepts and methods
Week II.
Session 3.
Session 4.
09 October 2014
The Toolkit of Geoarchaeology
Biomantles and Post-Depositional Processes
Week III.
Session 5.
Session 6.
16 October 2014
Slope processes
Alluvial processes
Week IV.
Session 7.
Session 8.
23 October 2014
Glaciation and the Loess record
Coastal environments
Week V.
Session 9.
Session 10.
30 October 2014
Arid and semi-arid environments
The humid tropics
Study Week: 3-7 Nov 2014
Week VI.
Session 11.
Session 12.
13 November 2014
Occupations I: Caves and rock-shelters
Occupations II: Open-air sites
Week VII.
Session 13.
Session 14.
20 November 2014
Practical 1: Characterising sediments and soils
Practical1: (continued)
Week VIII.
Session 15.
Session 16.
27 November 2014
Occupations III: Human impact on the landscape
Occupations IV: Landscape engineering and anthropogenic soils
Week IX.
Session 17.
Session 18.
4 December 2014
Practical 2: ‘Remote-sensing’ sediments and soils
Practical 2: (continued)
Week X.
Session 19.
Session 20.
11 December 2014
Practical 3: ‘Ground-truthing’ sediments and soils
Practical 3: (continued)
ASSIGNMENT #1: ESSAY DUE ON 11 December 2014
ASSIGNMENT #2: LAB REPORT DUE on 17 January 2015
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Geoarchaeology: Sediments and Site Formation Processes – 2014/5
ARCL 2017
Dr Manuel Arroyo-Kalin (course coordinator/lecturer)
Email: m.arroyo-kalin@ucl.ac.uk Office: 401
1. OVERVIEW
BASIC TEXTS: The field of geoarchaeology has a number of important texts, each emphasising
different aspects of the subdiscipline.
Butzer, K. W. (1982). Archaeology as Human Ecology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
French, C. A. I. (2003). Geoarchaeology in Action: Studies in Soil Micromorphology and Landscape
Evolution. London: Routledge
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006). Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell.
Holliday, V. T. (2004). Soils in Archaeological Research. New York, Oxford University Press.
Rapp, G., & Hill, C. L. (1998).Geoarchaeology: the earth-science approach to archaeological
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Waters, M. R. (1992). Principles of Geoarchaeology: a North American perspective. Tucson:
University of Arizona Press
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT: This course is assessed by means of one essay (not exceeding 4,200
words) that contributes 70% of the course grade, and one laboratory report (not exceeding 1,575
words) that contributes 30% of the course grade1. The Essay assignment is to discuss the main
research problems, challenges, and methods pertaining to a particular depositional archaeological
environment (e.g. rockshelter, aeolian, alluvial, etc.) or type of site-formation (cave site, desert
campsite, tell site, shell midden, etc.). The paper should consist of an overview of the characteristics
of the sedimentary environment or site formation processes, and the critical appraisal of two or
more geoarchaeological case studies. The Laboratory Report will consist of sediment descriptions,
data from laboratory analyses, and a summary discussion of results. Other aspects of both
assignments, as well as possible approaches to them, will be discussed in class in advance of the
submission deadline. If students are unclear about the nature of either assignment, they should
discuss this with the Course Coordinator in timely fashion. Also, the Course Coordinator is willing
to discuss an outline of the student's approach to their essay assignment, provided this is planned
suitably in advance of the submission date. The deadline for the essay is 11 December 2014. The
deadline for the laboratory report is 17 January 2015.
TEACHING METHODS: The course is taught through lectures and laboratory practicals. Before
attending sessions, students should read the required readings for each session, especially relevant
chapters in the Goldberg and Macphail textbook (see bibliography). The reading list is current but
small modifications will most likely be introduced as the course proceeds. Laboratory sessions have
been incorporated into the scheduled sessions for the course.
1
Word counts exclude the title page, the table of contents, any lists of figures and tables, abstract, preface,
acknowledgements, bibliography, lists of references, captions, contents of tables and figures, and appendices.
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WORKLOAD: There will be 14 hours of lectures and 6 hours of laboratory sessions for this course.
Students will be expected to undertake around 88 hours of reading for the course, plus 80 hours
preparing for and producing the assessed work. This adds up to a total workload of 188 hours for
the course.
PREREQUISITES: This course does not have a prerequisite. Due to its introductory nature, students
are not required to have a prior background in earth sciences or previous laboratory experience.
2. AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND ASSESSMENT
AIMS: This course is an introduction to Geoarchaeology. The aim of the course is to provide a basic
understanding of the role of earth sciences in answering archaeological questions.
OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES: On successful completion of this course a student should
understand how sediment studies contribute to archaeological problem-solving both on-site and in
the reconstruction of past environments. This will include a basic knowledge of common techniques
for sediment recording, grain size analyses, and sedimentological methods for determining past
depositional environments associated with archaeological sites, and principles of site formation
processes. The student will also be familiar with basic analyses of anthropogenic sediments and
soils. A student is expected to be able to demonstrate improved skills of observation and critical
reflection on academic topics.
3. SCHEDULE
TEACHING SCHEDULE:. Lectures will take place in Room 612 from 11:00-13:00 on Thursdays during
Term 1 (excluding reading week). Laboratory sessions will take place at the Sedimentology Lab,
Room B50, as per the programme. Students will be organised in groups and practicals will take place
between from 10:00-12:00.
4. SYLLABUS
Week I.
Session 1.
02 October 2014
Introduction: Geoarchaeology’s history and goals
Some consider Geoarchaeology as one more archaeological specialism, others as a specific
approach to the entire archaeological record. In order to familiarise students with these positions,
the introductory lecture examines the historical relationship between the earth sciences and
archaeology. This relation is the foundation upon which Geoarchaeology has developed and, in
some ways, it is the platform that enables contributions from different earth sciences (geology,
geomorphology, physical geography, pedology, etc.) to make contributions to the field of
archaeology.
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell. Pp
1-6
Rapp, G., & Hill, C. L. (1998).Geoarchaeology: the earth-science approach to archaeological
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press. Ch. 1
Suggested readings:
Butzer K.W. (1980). Context in archaeology: An alternative perspective. Journal of Field Archaeology
7: 417-422.
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Wilkinson, T. J. (2003). Archaeological Landscapes of the Near East. Tucson, Arizona: University of
Arizona Press. Ch. 1.
Additional reference works:
Daniel, G. (1967). The Origins and Growth of Archaeology. Chapter 3: Geology and the Antiquity of
Man, pp 46-78. Harmondsworth: Penguin.
Grayson, D. (1985). The establishment of human antiquity. New York: Academic Press.
Session 2.
Basic geoarchaeological concepts and methods
In this session we will lay out the basic principles and key concepts upon which geoarchaeological
practice is based.We will examine the contrast between soils and sediments, review the main types
of sedimentary processes and soil forming dynamics, and outline how an understanding of them
enable us to decode sequential records of landscape evolution (stratigraphy).
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell,
Chs. 1-3
Butzer, K. W. (1982). Archaeology as Human Ecology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Chs.
3, 5
Butzer, K. W. (2008). Challenges for a cross-disciplinary geoarchaeology: The intersection between
environmental history and geomorphology. Geomorphology, 101, 402-411.
Rapp, G., & Hill, C. L. (1998).Geoarchaeology: the earth-science approach to archaeological
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press. Ch. 2
English Heritage. (2004). Geoarchaeology: Using earth sciences to understand the archaeological
record. Swindon: EH Publications.
Gladfelter, B. G. (1981). Developments and directions in Geoarchaeology. Advances in
Archaeological Method and Theory, 4, 343-364.
Waters, M. R. (1992). Principles of Geoarchaeology: a North American perspective. Tucson:
University of Arizona Press. Pp. 2-114
Suggested readings:
French, C. A. I. (2003). Geoarchaeology in Action: Studies in Soil Micromorphology and Landscape
Evolution. London: Routledge. Ch. 1
Dincauze, D. (2000). Environmental archaeology : principles and practice. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press. Ch. 11, pp 257-290
Stein, J. K. (1993). Scale in archaeology, geosciences, and geoarchaeology. In J. K. Stein & A. R. Linse
(Eds.), Effects of scale on archaeological and geoscientific perspectives: Geological Society of
America.
Limbrey, S. (1975).Soil science and archaeology. New York: Academic Press.
Hassan F. (1978). Sediments in archaeology: methods and implications for palaeoenvironmental and
cultural analysis. Journal of Field Archaeology 5: 197-213
Week II.
Session 3.
09 October 2014
The Toolkit of Geoarchaeology
What is the toolkit employed in geoarchaeological research? In this session we examine the most
important techniques currently used by geoarchaeologists.
Required readings:
Wilkinson, T. J. (2003). Archaeological Landscapes of the Near East. Tucson, Arizona: University of
Arizona Press. Ch. 3.
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell. Ch.
15-17
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English Heritage. (2004). Geoarchaeology: Using earth sciences to understand the archaeological
record. Swindon: EH Publications.
Woods, W. I. (2003).Development of anthrosol research. In J. Lehmann, D. Kern, B. Glaser & W.
Woods (Eds.), Amazonian Dark Earths: Origins, Properties and Management (pp. 3-14).
Dordrecht: Kluwer Press.
O'Connor, T., & Evans, J. G. (1999).Environmental Archaeology: Principles and Methods (2nd ed.).
Stroud: Sutton Publishing. Ch. 10
Courty, M.-A., Macphail, R., & Goldberg, P. (1989).Soils and Micromorphology in Archaeology.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Ch 3.
Session 4.
Biomantles and Post-Depositional Processes
In this session we examine in further detail the interface between environments and the landscape,
i.e. what earth scientists call biomantles. As we will review in this session, biomantles are dynamic
and in constant evolution. Many of the processes that shape biomantles over time are of direct
concern to archaeologists because they shape the burial environments of archaeological evidence
and can modify the original integrity of archaeological remains.
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell, Ch
3
Balek, C. L. (2002). Buried Artifacts in Stable Upland Sites and the Role of Bioturbation: A Review.
Geoarchaeology, 17(1), 41-51.
Butzer, K. W. (1982). Archaeology as Human Ecology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Ch 7
Cremeens, D. L. (2003). Geoarchaeology of Soils on Stable Geomorphic Surfaces: Mature Soil Model
for the Glaciated Northeast. In D. L. Cremeens& J. P. Hart (Eds.), Geoarchaeology of
Landscapes in the Glaciated Northeast. New York: University of the State of New York.
French, C. A. I. (2003). Geoarchaeology in Action: Studies in Soil Micromorphology and Landscape
Evolution. London: Routledge. Ch 2
Holliday, V. T. (2004). Soils in Archaeological Research. New York, Oxford University Press, Ch 3
Johnson, D. L. (2002). Darwin Would Be Proud :Bioturbation , Dynamic Denudation , and the Power
of Theory in Science, Geoarchaeology17(1), 7-40.
Johnson, D. L., Domier, J. E. J., & Johnson, D. N. (2005). Reflections on the nature of soil and its
biomantle. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 95(1), 11-31.
Phillips, J. D., &Lorz, C. (2008).Origins and implications of soil layering.Earth-Science Reviews, 89,
144-155.
Holliday, V. T. (2004). Soils in Archaeological Research. New York: Oxford University Press.
Waters, M. R. (1992). Principles of Geoarchaeology: a North American perspective. Tucson:
University of Arizona Press. Ch7
Additional reference works:
Duchaufour, P. (1982). Pedology: Pedogenesis and Classification. London: George Allen &Unwyn.
Holliday, V. T. (1989). Paleopedology in archaeology. In A. Bronger& K. W. G. Valentine (Eds.),
Paleopedology. Nature and Application of Paleosols (pp. 187-206). Cremlingen: CatenaVerlag.
Schaetzl, R., & Anderson, S. (2005). Soils. Genesis and Geomorphology. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press. Ch.1 0
Limbrey, S. (1975).Soil science and archaeology. New York: Academic Press.
Stoops, G, V Marcelino, F Mees (2010) Interpretation of micromorphological features of soils and
regoliths. London: Elsevier
Birkeland, P. W. (1999). Soils and Geomorphology (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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Week III.
16 October 2014
The nature of the archaeological record is strongly determined by the
characteristics and overall evolution of the physical setting where archaeological
remains become buried. In the sessions before study week we will examine the
main characteristics of different settings, highlighting their dominant
geomorphological processes and discussing how these impact the preservation
and integrity of archaeological remains .
Session 5.
Slope processes
The lecture will introduce the main features and dynamics associated with slopes. Most
geoarchaeologists understand slope processes based on land surface unit models. A number of
topics need to be introduced to make sense of these: the dissection of landforms by streams,
surface flows, mass movement, colluviation, the soil catena. As will be seen, the dynamics described
by these topics bear significantly on our understandings of erosion, sedimentation/deposition, and
soil formation. Hence, they impact the preservation of archaeological remains and the formation of
the archaeological record.
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell.Ch.
4
French, C. A. I. (2003). Geoarchaeology in Action: Studies in Soil Micromorphology and Landscape
Evolution. London: Routledge. Pp 20-25, 30-34, Ch 5
Rapp, G., & Hill, C. L. (1998).Geoarchaeology: the earth-science approach to archaeological
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press. Ch 3
Butzer, K. W. (1982). Archaeology as Human Ecology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Ch. 4,
53-54
Birkeland, P. W. (1999). Soils and Geomorphology (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Pp.
184-185; 238-240
Waters, M. R. (1992). Principles of Geoarchaeology: a North American perspective. Tucson:
University of Arizona Press. Ch 5, pp. 230-232
Additional reference works:
Ruhe, R. V. (1975). Geomorphology. Geomorphic Processes and Surficial Geology. Boston: Houghton
Mifflin Company.
Schaetzl, R., & Anderson, S. (2005). Soils. Genesis and Geomorphology. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Session 6.
Alluvial processes.
The lecture will introduce the main features of alluvial and lacustrian contexts and how they impact
the preservation of archaeological evidence. Processes of erosion, sedimentation and deposition,
and soil formation associated with alluvial environments will be examined in further detail. Human
settlements and site formation processes in alluvial environments will be discussed.
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell, Ch
5
Rapp, G., & Hill, C. L. (1998).Geoarchaeology: the earth-science approach to archaeological
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press, pp 59-66
Holliday, V. T. (2004). Soils in Archaeological Research. New York, Oxford University Press, Ch 7
(relevant section on alluvial processes)
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Huckleberry, G. (2001).Archaeological Sediments in Dryland Alluvial Environments. In J. K. Stein &
W. R. Farrand (Eds.), Sediments in Archaeological Context (pp. 67--92). Salt Lake City: The
University of Utah Press.
Waters, M. R. (1992). Principles of Geoarchaeology: a North American perspective. Tucson:
University of Arizona Press. Ch 5, pp 219-225.
French, C. A. I. (2003). Geoarchaeology in Action: Studies in Soil Micromorphology and Landscape
Evolution. London: Routledge. Ch. 9
Case studies:
Lathrap, D. W. (1968). Aboriginal occupation and changes in river channel on the central Ucayali,
Peru. American Anthropologist, 33(1), 62-79.
Larsen, C. E. (1985). Geoarchaeological Interpretation of Great Lakes Coastal Environments. In J. K.
Stein & W. R. Farrand (Eds.), Archaeological sediments in context (pp. 91-110).Orono: Center
for the Study of Early Man, Institute for Quaternary Studies, University of Maine at Orono.
Hassan, F. A. (1985). Fluvial Systems and Geoarchaeology in Arid Lands: With Examples from North
Africa, the Near East and the American Southwest. In J. K. Stein & W. R. Farrand (Eds.),
Archaeological sediments in context (pp. 53-68).Orono: Center for the Study of Early Man,
Institute for Quaternary Studies, University of Maine at Orono.
Feibel, C. S. (2001). Archaeological Sediments in Lake Margin Environments. In J. K. Stein & W. R.
Farrand (Eds.), Sediments in Archaeological Context (pp. 127-147). Salt Lake City: The
University of Utah Press.
Additional reference works:
Brown, A. G. (1997). Alluvial geoarchaeology: floodplain archaeology and environmental change..
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Reading, H. G. (Ed.). (2004). Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. London:
Blackwell Science. Ch 3, 4.
Week IV.
Session 7.
23 October 2014
Glaciation and the Loess record
Glaciers reset the landscape and many landforms in post-glacial landscapes originate in glacial
dynamics. Glacial and periglacial activity, moreover, are at the source of one of the most highly
active aeolian dynamics – the deposition of loess. In this lecture we will introduce the main features
associated with glacial and periglacial environments and examine how they impact the preservation
of archaeological evidence. Human settlements and site formation processes in glacial and
periglacial environments will be discussed.
Required readings:
Rapp, G., & Hill, C. L. (1998).Geoarchaeology: the earth-science approach to archaeological
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press, pp 71-74.
Benedict, J. B. (2005). Rethinking the fourth of July Valley site: A study in glacial and periglacial
geoarchaeology. Geoarchaeology, 20(8), 797-836. doi:10.1002/gea.20084
Texier, J. P., Bertran, P., Coutard, J. P., Francou, B., Gabert, P., Guadelli, J. L., et al. (1998). TRANSIT,
an experimental archaeological program in periglacial environment: Problem, methodology,
first results. Geoarchaeology, 13(5), 433-473.
Dodonov, A. E. (2007). Loess records: Central Asia. In S. A. Elias (Ed.), Encyclopaedia of Quaternary
Science (pp. 1418-1429). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Porter, S. C. (2007). Loess records: China. In S. A. Elias (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science (pp.
1429-1440). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Rousseau, D.-D., Derbyshire, E., Antoine, P., &Hatté, C. (2007). Loess records: Europe. In S. A. Elias
(Ed.), Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science (pp. 1440-1456). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
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Zárate, M. (2007). Loess records: South America. In S. A. Elias (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Quaternary
Science (pp. 1466-1479). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Case Studies
Schweger, C. (1985). Geoarchaeology of Northern Regions: Lessons from Cryotubation at Onion
Portage, Alaska. In J. K. Stein & W. R. Farrand (Eds.), Archaeological sediments in context (pp.
127-142).Orono: Center for the Study of Early Man, Institute for Quaternary Studies,
University of Maine at Orono.
Benedict, J. B. (2005). Rethinking the fourth of July Valley site: A study in glacial and periglacial
geoarchaeology.Geoarchaeology, 20(8), 797-836.
Additional reference works:
Reading, H. G. (Ed.). (2004). Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. London:
Blackwell Science. Ch 11
Schaetzl, R., & Anderson, S. (2005). Soils.Genesis and Geomorphology. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press. PP. 263-277
McCulloch, R. D., Bentley, M. J., Tipping, R. M., &Clapperton, C. M. (2005). Evidence for Late-Glacial
ice dammed lakes in the Central Strait of Magellan and Bahia Inútil, Southernmost South
America. Geografiska Annaler, Series A: Physical Geography 87A(2), 335-362.
Session 8.
Coastal environments
The lecturewill introduce the main features of coastal contexts and examine how they impact the
preservation of archaeological evidence. Processes of sedimentation, erosion and deposition, with
special emphasis on the effects of sea-level change, will be examined in further detail. Human
settlements and site formation processes along shores of water bodies will be discussed.
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell,,Ch
7
Wells, L. E. (2001). Archaeological Sediments in Coastal Environments. In J. K. Stein & W. R. Farrand
(Eds.), Sediments in Archaeological Context (pp. 149-181). Salt Lake City: The University of
Utah Press.
Dickinson, W. R., Burley, D. B., & Shutler, R. (1994).Impact of Hydro-Isostatic Holocene Sea-Level
Change on the Geologic Context of Island Archaeological Sites, Northern Ha’apai Group,
Kingdom of Tonga. Geoarchaeology, 9(2), 85-111.
Bell M., and Neumann H. (1997). Prehistoric inter-tidal archaeology and environments in the Severn
Estuary, Wales.World Archaeology 29: 95-113.
Kraft, J. C. (1985). Marine Environments: Paleogeographic Reconstructions in the Littoral Region. In
J. K. Stein & W. R. Farrand (Eds.), Archaeological sediments in context (pp. 111-1127).Orono:
Center for the Study of Early Man, Institute for Quaternary Studies, University of Maine at
Orono.
Suggested readings:
Reading, H. G. (Ed.). (2004). Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. London:
Blackwell Science. Ch 6, 7
Dincauze D.F. (2000). Environmental Archaeology: Principles and Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press. Chapt.10, Landforms of shores and shallow water, pp 227-250.
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Week V.
Session 9.
30 October 2014
Arid and semi-arid environments
The lecture will introduce the main features associated with arid and semi-arid environments.
Include here are erosion due to restricted vegetation cover, aeolian processes and deflation. We will
examine how they impact the preservation of archaeological evidence.
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell, Ch
6
Boardman, J., & Bell, M. (1992). Past and present soil erosion: linking archaeology and
geomorphology. In M. Bell & J. Boardman (Eds.), Past and present soil erosion: archaeological
and geographical perspectives (pp. 1-7). Oxford: Oxbow.
Butzer, K. W. (2003). The Nature of Mediterranean Europe: An Ecological History. Annals of the
Association of American Geographers, 93, 494–498.
Holliday, V. T. (2004). Soils in Archaeological Research. New York, Oxford University Press, Ch
7 (relevant section on Aeolian processes)
Rapp, G., & Hill, C. L. (1998).Geoarchaeology: the earth-science approach to archaeological
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press, Ch 3, pp 54-57
Waters, M. R. (1992). Principles of Geoarchaeology: a North American perspective. Tucson:
University of Arizona Press. Ch 4, pp 185-210
Case Studies:
Fanning, P. C., Holdaway, S. J., Rhodes, E. J., & Bryant, T. G. (2009). The surface archaeological
record in arid Australia: Geomorphic controls on preservation, exposure, and visibility.
Geoarchaeology, 24(2), 121-146.
Field, J., &bannin, E. B. (1998).Hillslope Processes and Archaeology in WadiZiqlab, Jordan.
Geoarchaeology, 13(6), 595-616.
Haynes, C. V. (2000). Geochronology and Climate Change of the Pleistocene–Holocene Transition in
the Darb el Arba’in Desert, Eastern Sahara. Geoarchaeology, 16(1), 117-141.
Additional reference works:
Reading, H. G. (Ed.). (2004). Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. London:
Blackwell Science. Ch 5
Session 10.
The humid tropics
The lecture will introduce the main features associated with humid tropical environments. Included
here are some specific geomorphological features common to the humid tropical belt, the nature of
precipitation and weathering, and the characteristics of soil formation.
Required readings:
Mercader, J., Martí, R., Martínez, J. L., & Brooks, A. (2002).The nature of ‘stone-lines ’in the African
Quaternary record: archaeological resolution at the rainforest site of Mosumu, Equatorial
Guinea. Quaternary International, 89, 71-96.
McBrearty, S. (1990). Consider the Humble Termite: Termites as Agents of Post-depositional
Disturbance at African Archaeological Sites. Journal of Archaeological Science, 17, 111-143.
Pärssinen, M. H., Salo, J. S., &Räsänen, M. E. (1996).River floodplain relocations and the
abandonment of Aborigine settlements in the Upper Amazon Basin: A historical case study of
San Miguel de Cunibos at the Middle Ucayali River. Geoarchaeology, 11(4), 345-359.
Beach, T. (1999). Soil constraints on Northwest Yucatán, Mexico: Pedoarchaeology and Maya
subsistence at Chunchucmil. Geoarchaeology, 13(8), 759-761.
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Barse, W. (2003).Human occupation in the Orinoco. In J. Mercader (Ed.), Under the Canopy: the
Archaeology of Tropical Rainforests (pp. 249-270). London: Rutgers University Press.
Study Week: 3-7 Nov 2014
Week VI.
Session 11.
13 November 2014
Occupations I: Caves and rock-shelters
The lecture will introduce the main features associated with the study of archaeological cave and
rock shelters. Processes of sedimentation, erosion and deposition, as well as chemical processes
affecting cave site sediments, will be examined in further detail. Human settlements, site formation
processes, and palaeoenvironmental implications of cave geoarchaeology will be discussed.
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell, Ch
8
Goldberg, P., & Mandel, R. D. (2008).Caves and Rockshelters. In M. P. Editor-in-Chief: Deborah (Ed.),
Encyclopedia of Archaeology (pp. 966-974). New York: Academic Press.
Butzer K.W. (1982). Archaeology as Human Ecology: Method and Theory for a Contextual Approach
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. A Pleistocene prototype: cave sediments, pp 79-85
and An example of cave geo-archaeology: Cueva Morin, pp 85-87.
Waters M.R. (1992). Principles of Geoarchaeology. Tucson: University of Arizona. In Chapter 5,
Rockshelters and caves, pp 240-247.
Laville, H. (1976). Deposits in calreous rock shelters: analytical methods and climatic interpretation.
In D. A. Davidson & M. L. Shackley (Eds.), Geoarchaeology. Earth Science and the Past (pp.
137-157). London: Gerald Duckworth and Co.
Farrand, W. R. (2001). Archaeological Sediments in Rockshelters and Caves. In J. K. Stein & W. R.
Farrand (Eds.), Sediments in Archaeological Context (pp. 29-66). Salt Lake City: The University
of Utah Press.
Rapp, G., & Hill, C. L. (1998).Geoarchaeology: the earth-science approach to archaeological
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press, Ch 3
Suggested readings:
Araújo, A., Feathers, J., Arroyo-Kalin, M., &Tizuka, M. M. (2008).Lapa das Boleiras rockshelter:
stratigraphy and formation processes at a Paleoamerican site in Central Brazil. Journal of
Archaeological Science, 35(12), 3186-3202
Boschian, G. and Montagnari-Kokelj, E. (2000) Prehistoric shepherds and caves in the Trieste Karst
(Northeastern Italy).Geoarchaeology 15(4): 331-371.
Hunt, C., Davison, J., Inglis, R., Farr, L., Reynolds, T., Simpson, D., et al. (2010). Site formation
processes in caves: The Holocene sediments of the HauaFteah, Cyrenaica, Libya. [doi:
10.1016/j.jas.2010.01.021]. Journal of Archaeological Science, 37(7), 1600-1611.
Mercader, J., Martí, R., González, I. J., Sánchez, A., &García, P. (2003).Archaeological site formation
in rain forests: insights from the Ituri rock shelters, Congo. Journal of Archaeological Science,
30, 45-65.
Bar-Yosef O., Vandermeersch B., Arensburg B., Belfer-Cohen A., Goldberg P., Laville H., Meignen L.,
Rak Y., Speth J.D., Tchernov E., Tillier A.-M., and Weiner S. (1992). The Excavations in Kebara Cave,
Mt. Carmel.Current Anthropology 33: 497-550.
Session 12.
Occupations II: Open-air site
It is not just artefacts, structures and pits that make up the archaeology: the sediment matrix within
which these have formed is worthy of attention. This lecture examines the growing importance of
geoarchaeological research of occupation deposits
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Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell, Ch
10, 11
Butzer, K. W., Miralles, I., &Mateu, J. F. (1983).Urban Geo-archaeology in Medieval Alzira (Prov.
Valencia, Spain).Journal of Archaeological Science, 10, 333-349.
Fernández, F. G., Terry, R. E., Inomata, T., & Eberl, M. (2002). An Ethnoarchaeological Study of
Chemical Residues in the Floors and Soils of Q’eqchi’ Maya Houses at Las Pozas, Guatemala.
Geoarchaeology, 17(6), 487-519.
Davidson, D. A. (1976). Processes of Tell Formation and Erosion. In D. A. Davidson & M. L. Shackley
(Eds.), Geoarchaeology. Earth Science and the Past (pp. 255-266). London: Gerald Duckworth
and Co.
Shahack-Gross, R., Albert, R.-M., Gilboa, A., Nagar-Hilman, O., Sharon, I., & Weiner, S. (2005).
Geoarchaeology in an urban context: the uses of space in a Phoenician monumental building
at Tel Dor (Israel). Journal of Archaeological Science 32, 1417-1431.
Rosen, A. M. (1985). Cities of clay: the geoarchaeology of tells. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Butzer, K. W., Miralles, I., &Mateu, J. F. (1983).Urban Geo-archaeology in Medieval Alzira (Prov.
Valencia, Spain).Journal of Archaeological Science, 10, 333-349.
Stein, J. K., Deo, J. N., & Phillips, L. S. (2003). Big sites - Short time: Accumulation rates in
archaeological sites. Journal of Archaeological Science, 30(3), 297-316.
Villagran, X. S., Balbo, A. L., Madella, M., Vila, A., & Estevez, J. (2011). Stratigraphic and spatial
variability in shell middens: microfacies identification at the ethnohistoric site Tunel VII (Tierra del
Fuego, Argentina). Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 3(4), 357-378.
Week VII.
Session 13.
20 November 2014
Practical 1: Characterising sediments and soils
In the first laboratory session we will review the basics of field and laboratory sediment
characterisation. The sessions will take place in the geoarchaeology laboratory. Be ready to use
what you have learned so far to interpret the depositional environments of samples.
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell, Ch
15
NRCS Soil Survey Manual Ch 3:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=nrcs142p2_054253
Session 14.
Practical1: (continued)
Continuation of the laboratory session.
Week VIII.
Session 15.
27 November 2014
Occupations III: Human impact on the landscape
Causality in landscape change is often associated with either external or autogenic forcing.
However, human societies have greatly impacted and transformed vast tracts of the earth’s
landscape. This lecture will focus on the geoarchaeological study of human impact on the landscape.
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell, Ch
9
McKoy, M. D., &Hartshorn, A. S. (2007). Wind Erosion and Intensive Prehistoric Agriculture: A Case
Study from the Kalaupapa Field System, Moloka’i Island, Hawai’i. Geoarchaeology, 22(5), 511532.
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French, C. A. I., Sulas, F., & Madella, M. (2009). New geoarchaeological investigations of the valley
systems in the Aksum area of northern Ethiopia. Catena, 78, 218-233.
Bell, M. (1992). The Prehistory of Soil Erosion. In M. Bell & J. Boardman (Eds.), Past and present soil
erosion: archaeological and geographical perspectives. Oxford: Oxbow.
Butzer, K. W. (1996). Ecology in the Long View: Settlement Histories, Agrosystemic Strategies, and
Ecological Performance. Journal of Field Archaeology, 23(2), 141-150
Butzer, K. W. (2005). Environmental history in the Mediterranean world: cross-disciplinary
investigation of cause-and-effect for degradation and soil erosion. Journal of Archaeological
Science, 32, 1773-1800.
Beach, T., Dunning, N., Luzzadder-Beach, S., Cook, D. E., &Lohse, J. (2006).Impacts of the ancient
Maya on soils and soil erosion in the central Maya Lowlands. Catena, 65(2), 166-178.
French, C. A. I. (2003). Geoarchaeology in Action: Studies in Soil Micromorphology and Landscape
Evolution. London: Routledge. Ch. 12
Wilkinson, T. J. (2003). Archaeological Landscapes of the Near East. Tucson, Arizona: University of
Arizona Press. Ch 4-6
Suggested readings:
Van Andel, T. H. (1998). Paleosols, red sediments, and the Old Stone Age in Greece.
Geoarchaeology, 13(4), 361-390.
Various Authors (2005) Geoarchaeology Special Issue: Landscape and Land Use—Geoarchaeological
Approaches to Human Impact, 20(2)
Session 16.
Occupations IV: Landscape engineering and anthropogenic soils
The surface of the planet has been vastly remodelled as a result of human inhabitation. In this
session we examine geoarchaeological approaches to landscape engineering and the study of
anthropogenic soils.
Required readings:
Arroyo-Kalin, M., Neves, E. G., & Woods, W. I. (n.d.). Anthropogenic dark earths of the Central
Amazon region: remarks on their evolution and polygenetic composition. In W. I. Woods (Ed.),
Terra Preta Nova – a tribute to WimSombroek. Dordrecht: Kluwer.
Davidson, D., & Simpson, I. (2005). The time dimension in landscape ecology: cultural soils and
spatial pattern in early landscapes. In J. A. Wiends& M. R. Moss (Eds.), Issues and Perspectives
in Landscape Ecology (pp. 152-158). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
McKey, D., Rostain, S., Iriarte, J., Glaser, B., Birk, J. J., Holst, I., et al. (2010).Pre-Columbian
agricultural landscapes, ecosystem engineers, and self-organized patchiness in Amazonia.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 107(17),
7823-7828.
Blume, H.-P., &Leinweber, P. (2004).Plaggen Soils: landscape history, properties, and classification.
Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 167(3), 319-327.
Woods, W. I. (2003).Development of anthrosol research. In J. Lehmann, D. Kern, B. Glaser & W.
Woods (Eds.), Amazonian Dark Earths: Origins, Properties and Management (pp. 3-14).
Dordrecht: Kluwer Press.
Macphail, R. I., Galinie, H., & Verhaeghe, F. (2003).A future for Dark Earth? Antiquity, 77(296), 349358.
Week IX.
Session 17.
4 December 2014
Practical 2: ‘Remote-sensing’ sediments and soils
Geoarchaeological analyses used to study of soil and sediment samples will be taught in the
geoarchaeology laboratory
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Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell. Ch.
15-17
Session 18.
Practical 2: (continued)
Continuation of the laboratory session.
Week X.
Session 19.
11 December 2014
Practical 3: ‘Ground-truthing’ sediments and soils
The basics of micromorphological analyses will be taught in the geoarchaeology laboratory
Required readings:
Courty, M.-A., Macphail, R., & Goldberg, P. (1989).Soils and Micromorphology in Archaeology.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Bullock, P., Fedoroff, N., Jongerius, A., Stoops, G., &Tursina, T. (1986). Handbook for Soil Thin Section
Description (1st ed.). Wolverhampton, UK: Waine Research Publications.
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell. Ch.
16
Session 20.
Practical 3: (continued)
Continuation of the laboratory session.
5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
LIBRARIES AND OTHER RESOURCES:
Use UCL Explore to identify where readings are found. Most of them are located in either the
Archaeology or Science libraries. Students are asked to organise themselves in order to share in the
loan of books of which only few copies are available. Please contact the course coordinator if a
specific item cannot be found in UCL.
INFORMATION FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE AND INTERDEPARTMENTAL STUDENTS: Students enrolled
in Departments outside the Institute should obtain the Institute’s coursework guidelines from Judy
Medrington (email j.medrington@ucl.ac.uk), which will also be available on the IoA website.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: The Institute has a Health and Safety policy and code of practice which
provides guidance on laboratory work. This code of practice is revised annually and the new edition
can be consulted online. All work undertaken in the Institute is governed by these guidelines and
students have a duty to be aware of them and to adhere to them at all times. This is particularly
important in the context of the laboratory undertaken as part of this course.
INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY COURSEWORK PROCEDURES: General policies and procedures
concerning courses and coursework, including submission procedures, assessment criteria, and
general resources, are available in your Degree Handbook and on the following website:
http://wiki.ucl.ac.uk/display/archadmin. It is essential that you read and comply with these. Note
that some of the policies and procedures will be different depending on your status (e.g.
undergraduate, postgraduate taught, affiliate, graduate diploma, intercollegiate,
interdepartmental). If in doubt, please consult your course co-ordinator.
Revised: 01 October 2014/MA-K
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