Search

Site formation processes at ancient tells in the southern Levant have been the focus of several micromorphological studies, contributing to the differentiation of anthropogenic remains from long-term natural sedimentation, occurring post-abandonment. This paper discusses how the study of sedimentary processes and chemical compositions of sediments can be used within the context of an ongoing archaeological project, and how they can contribute to archaeological, historical and geomorphological interpretations. Sedimentary processes were studied implementing POSL, granulometry and PXRF as part of the archaeological research at Tel Burna, Israel. Focusing on the area along the northwestern fortification walls (Area B2), data was collected from multiple strata inside and outside the casemate fortifications dating from the Late Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age. The gradual increase of OSL values obtained inside the casemate wall, indicate accumulation of sediment during a long period of time. Whereas similar values along the entire profile outside the casemate wall indicate sediment accumulation in one-time event. This might be related to defensive preparations, allegedly in response to advances made by Sennacherib's army in 701 BCE. In addition, results from the PXRF studies demonstrated correlation between human activities and the Cu, P, K, Zn, Mn values. Specifically, it was found that as K content increased from younger to older periods, it can be used as a pseudo-dating element. Ca content decreased as sampling descended from the tell's surface, suggesting its origin in long-term aeolian processes. The results show that the use of POSL and PXRF on archaeological contexts are useful for determining sedimentary processes. Furthermore, chemical content enabled pseudo-dating of strata and facilitated the distinction between natural and anthropogenic processes in archaeological sites and landscape.

How long decomposed buried human bodies affect soil elemental composition is so far not well-known. Using portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, we determined the elemental composition of sandy necrosols from a Corded Ware Culture (ca 2800–2500 BCE) graveyard, Chudeřin, Czech Republic. The elemental compositions of soils in the grave infills were studied and compared with arable and subsoil layers. After removal of the arable layer, infills of graves were identified by the black color in contrast with their reddish surroundings. The burials affected the content of elements even after more than 4500 years. Increased C contents compared with arable and subsoil layers were recorded only close to bones. The lowest P content was in grave infill, where soft tissues decomposed, because of P leaching. Therefore, increased P content in the infill of the prehistoric graves mentioned by previous authors is not a reliable indicator of soft tissue decomposition. In the acidic environment, P and Ca released from bones partly fixed in the grave infill ≤ 5 cm to bones. The high contents of P and Ca in bones and soils close to bones were a source of these elements for plants, indicated by a high density of fine roots. The highest contents of trace elements (Mn, Cu, As, and Pb) were in the arable layer because of recent disposition. The most reliable soft tissue decomposition indicator was an increased Zn content in the grave infill. The multi-elemental analyses of prehistoric necrosols were neglected so far and require further detailed research as the chemical signatures are well-preserved for millennia.

Human settlement activities have caused changes in soil chemical properties that might remain preserved in the soil archive for a very long time. These traces might be close to irreversible on the timescale of known civilizations. Our study explores the potential of an extensive mapping of the multi-elemental composition of soil and buried sediments by a portable XRF spectrometer, using the Tel Burna site in the southern Levant as a case study. The tell, dating from the 3rd to the 1st millennium BCE, is known as a Bronze Age Canaanite settlement, and later in the Iron Age as a stronghold on the historic border between the Kingdom of Judah and Philistia. We compared the results of our geochemical survey conducted on the surface layer of contemporary soil with the data acquired by the same method from the archaeological stratigraphy exposed during excavations of the site. We found that handheld XRF spectrometry can reveal archaeologically meaningful patterns of the multi-elemental composition of soils and sediments in the horizontal plane, as well as in vertical profiles. Such patterns correspond to areas and loci of ancient settlement activities, dated to millennia ago. This methodology, if used critically, provides a rapid and cost-effective analysis of soil chemical composition that can significantly enhance our understanding of archaeological sites in arid environments.

Lovětin was a medieval village located in the Bohemian-Moravian Upland (Czech Republic). It existed approximately between the 14th and the 16th century and was comprised of up to 20 farmsteads. Arable farming based on a short-fallow cultivation system was its main means of subsistence. The fields of the village consisted of two main field areas (128 and 77 ha) and six smaller field areas (up to 8 ha). Our study focused on finding out how human activities have impacted the soil environment imprinted in its geochemical characteristics. The design was based on a 100-m grid (in some cases, a 50-m grid) covering the entire field system (plužina) of the village; soil samples were taken from the B horizon at a depth of 15 cm. The analysis was based on XRF spectrometry, returning near total concentrations of the elements. The statistical and GIS analyses were performed on 338 samples, measuring the following elements: Al, Si, K, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Zr, Pb, Th, LE (light elements – combined concentrations for H to Na). The results of the analyses were processed by PCA after ilr transformation. The PCA indicated 16 principal components, of which three were interpreted as direct products of past human activities. The main elements reflecting human activities were Mn, Sr, Th, K, Zn; P contributed also to the interpretations, although it was detected and measured only in 132 cases. Some of the elements were spatially connected to the village in terms of their concentrations, but the PCA did not reveal a strong connection (Ti, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zr). The spatial distribution of the principal components was varied, indicating a diversity in the spatial distribution of agricultural activities or of their intensity, as well as differences in land use management. Management was most intensive in the vicinity of the village built-up area up to a distance of 300–400 m. The village was probably deserted due to inadequate soil management strategies.

Human settlement activities are connected with the accumulation of nutrients in archaeological soils. We address the question of whether the large-scale mapping of the elemental composition of the topsoil in contemporary rangeland can be used for the detection of ancient settlement activities. Using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF), we mapped the elemental composition of contemporary soils over an area of 67 ha in and around the Bronze and Iron Age settlement of Tel Burna (identified as probably corresponding with biblical Libnah). Ancient settlement activities substantially increased concentrations of nutrients (P, K, S, Zn and Cu) in the contemporary topsoil owing to the deposition of biomass ashes and organic wastes. Increased concentrations of elements were detected 2500 years after the site was abandoned and we can therefore suppose that changes in the elemental composition of the soil caused by ancient settlement activities are irreversible on a timescale in which human societies operate. Ancient settlement activities increased concentrations of nutrients in contemporary soil to the same level as recent intensive fertiliser application on an adjacent arable field used for vegetable production. Concentrations of nutrients higher than those on the tell summit were recorded only in recent cattle resting areas with intensive deposition of cattle faeces. Changes in the elemental composition of the soil caused by ancient settlement activities consequently result in differential nutrient availability for contemporary vegetation, affecting ecosystem functions for thousands of years. Using pXRF, large-scale mapping of the elemental composition of the topsoil layer at archaeological sites can help to identify the extent and provide basic information on the character of past human activities in the affected landscape units.

Can less than a hundred years of past settlement activities in former European settlements substantially increase the concentration of elements and result in the formation of African Dark Earth soil is a question not addressed. We performed multi–element analysis of Africa Dark Earth soil from a late 19th to mid–20th century CE former German–Togoland settlement, Ziavi–Galenkuito in the Volta Region, Ghana. Relatively neutral reaction and black color of soil mainly from charcoal inclusion in the settlement site contrasted highly with moderately acidic brown Ferric Acrisol in the control located on the same metasedimentary/Voltaian bedrock. Organic C and total N, P, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sr and Rb concentrations were substantially increased and vice–versa for the C/N ratio in the 0–40 cm layer of the settlement soil compared to the control without settlement activities. The concentrations of plant–available P, K, Ca, S, Fe, Cu and Zn were higher in the settlement soil in comparison to the control. The increased concentrations of the elements mentioned above resulted in the disposition of organic waste and biomass ash. Significantly higher concentrations of total and plant–available elements in 0–10, 10–20 and 20–40 cm layers of settlement site compared to their respective control suggested that chemical signatures from past settlement activities can be determined even in the upper soil layer. Positive correlations between the concentration of P and K, Mn, Sr, Fe, Ca, Zn, Rb, Cu implied that these elements were indicators of past settlement activities. The concentrations of total and plant–available P, K, Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn were well correlated; however, total elements concentrations are much suitable for geoarchaeological purposes as it is easy to calculate enrichment factors. We concluded that intensive human settlement activities in even

Past human activities can be reflected in the elemental composition of contemporary soils. We asked how much historical land-use identified according to historical maps is reflected by the multi-elemental signatures of soils in an originally medieval village abandoned after WWII. Using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, we determined the content of 24 elements in soil samples from former arable fields, field boundaries, forests, built-up area, and permanent grasslands. Previous human activities were connected with the accumulation of 13 elements such as the usually thus interpreted P, Ca, Zn, and Cu, but also with elements rarely used in archaeological studies such as Mg, K, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Rb, Zr, and Sr. The content of P, Ca, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe, V, Cr, and Zr decreased on former fields with the distance from the most enriched built-up area. This can be explained by the most intensive deposition of biomass ashes and manuring of gardens and fields close to the village. With the exception of Pb accumulated sub-recently because of aerial deposition, the lowest content of anthropogenic elements was recorded in continuous forest. The chemical signatures recorded were much stronger than those in previously studied medieval villages in the Czech Republic abandoned in the 15th or 16th centuries. This is because of the long period of the settlement’s existence since medieval times and in addition because of the short time since its abandonment. Although frequently neglected, the multi-elemental composition of soils in deserted settlements can be considered as cultural heritage similarly to the relicts of buildings or still visible field patterns.

Kutna Hora was a centre of medieval mining and remains an important contamination source in the present day. Surprisingly, very little attention has been paid to the associated contamination. Although some studies have been performed, the majority of information regarding contamination is only accessible in the archives and no overview has been published. The purpose of this study is to perform a meta-analysis of all accessible data and to shed light on this topic. The data mainly come from analyses of HNO3 solutions of sediments. We used statistical analyses (exploratory data analysis, PCA). The results were visualised and evaluated in the GIS environment. The complex of heavy metals As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, V, and Zn can be divided into three main groups of different interpretation: (1) uninfluenced by mining activities—Be, Co, Cr, Hg, and V; (2) smelting processes—Cu, Pb, and Zn; and (3) mining—As and Cd. These groups also show different spatial distribution patterns, absolute concentration values and binding with different environmental types—landscape features. The contamination of Kutna Hora can be characterised by element grouping and also by spatial diversification. This could be used in future research as a bearer of proxy information. Surprisingly, it also seems that the spatial range of contamination of sediments could be shorter than is generally presumed.

Horak J., Hejcman M . (2013): Use of trace elements from historical mining for alluvial sediment dating. Soil & Water Res., 8: 77–86. We examined whether it is possible to relate concentrations of trace elements in alluvial sediments with records concerning the intensity of mining, and use them as a means of dating. We conducted our research in the medieval mining district of the town of Kutna Hora in the Czech Republic. Samples were collected under the pond dam and analysed for clay, silt and sand content and for As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn concentrations. We observed two main peaks of element concentrations (Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, V and Zn), independent of grain fractions. The peaks were interpreted as a result of human activity. The concentration curves, stratigraphy and location of the dam/alluvium boundary were compared with historical records of mining production. This means of dam dating into the 16 th century agreed with historical dating from written sources. Trace elements were also successfully used as stratigraphic markers. The comparison between concentration patterns of V and other well interpreted elements (Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) enabled to recognize a material directly originating from the mines. The elements thus helped to interpret local sedimentation history.