Soil Scientific Research Methods Used in Archaeology - Promising Soil Biochemistry: a Mini-review

Vranová, Valerie; Marfo, Theodore Danso; Rejšek, Klement

doi:10.11118/actaun201563041417

Cited by 10 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 70 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In below-ground conditions it is harder to preserve intact starch grains. In a field experiment that compared the survival rate of starch grains on grinding stones placed on the ground surface and below ground, it was shown that the samples taken from the experimental grinding stones on the soil surface contained better preserved starch grains (Barton, 2009;Vranová et al, 2015). Despite such observations, starch granules are well preserved at many archaeological sites (Fullagar et al, 1998;Therin et al, 1997).…”

Section: Sampling Of Starch From Soil Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microscopic Analysis of Starch Grains and its Applications in the Archaeology of the Stone Age

Kovárník¹,

Beneš²

2018

IANSA

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Sampling Of Starch From Soil Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microscopic Analysis of Starch Grains and its Applications in the Archaeology of the Stone Age

Kovárník¹,

Beneš²

2018

IANSA

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…However, the ratio of humic to fulvic acids as well as its change due to the agrogenic transformation of the soil has been little studied, especially in the archaeological sites. According to Vranova et al (2015), the studies of various organic compounds, such as lipids and proteins, are most emphasized. Meanwhile, the ratio of humic to fulvic acids shows the link between humification and mineralization, as well as the intensity and sustainability of soil use in agriculture.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transformations of different soils under natural and anthropogenized land management

Volungevičius

Feiza

Amalevičiūtė-Volungė

et al. 2019

Zemdirbyste-Agriculture

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The aim of the study is to determine changes in the morphological, physical and chemical properties of soils of Lithuanian agroecosystems caused by their anthropogenic transformation. Summarized data on 33 soil profiles, 5 relatively natural mature forest soils and 28 anthropogenically affected soils, investigated in 2015-2018, are presented. The structure of the soil profile and its variation, the thickness of Ah(p) horizon, the soil bulk density and total porosity, the soil organic carbon content and its qualitative characteristics in A horizon were examined. The study showed that Retisol (RT) and Planosol (PL) are mostly degraded ex-situ due to the agrogenical effect: disruption of the genetic profile and the removal of the soil organic carbon (SOC) are ongoing, therefore bulk density increases and total porosity decreases. Luvisol (LV), Cambisol (CM) and Gleysol (GL) are most affected by in-situ erosion: soil is compacted and total porosity is decreasing. The loss of SOC due to the removal of biomass contributes to the increase in soil density. The Retisol profile horizons in the upper part are changed from O-Ah-E-E/B to Ap-E/B. The natural Luvisol profile, described as O-Ah-E-Btg-BCkg, is changed into the sequence of Ap-Ahm-BCk. In archaeological areas, the initial topsoil O-A horizon transformed to a complex cultural layer consisting of terric Ah and buried Ah horizons. When anthropogenic soil Ah soil horizons become deeper (from 10-15 up to 25-30 cm thick) due to deep ploughing, the E horizon is disturbed and partially mixed and incorporated into Ap horizon. The properties of Ap horizon differ from those of Ah and AhE horizons, from which it has developed. The bulk density increases from 0.8-1.08 to 1.55-1.75 Mg m-3 , while the SOC content decreases from 30-40 to 11-14 g kg-1 in Ap horizon. Humification degree in the soils of mature forest is amounts to about 25.5%, while in agrogenized soils it varies greatly and amounts about 14%. The most favourable conditions for soil organic matter (SOM) humification and SOC sequestration are in perennial grassland, when biomass is not removed, as well as in mature mixed forests. The ratio of carbon of mobile humic and fulvic acids (C MHA :C MFA) varies from 1.02 to 1.54 in relatively natural soils of mature forest, in arable soils varies within the range of 0.58-1.02, and in meadows-0.91-2.82, indicating declining SOC sequestration. In order to solve soil problems related to soil agrogenization, the aspects of SOC content and intensity of land use should be considered. Usage of Luvisol and Cambisol for agriculture, crop rotations must be observed and organic fertilizers must be used in combination with mineral fertilizers. From soil conservation viewpoint, arable farming in Retisol and Planosol should be replaced by grassland and livestock farming.

show abstract

“…Phosphorus was detected in selected samples in specific clusters and mainly in the top layers L1to L4 with one occurrence in L6. Its presence in the top layers testifies use of the area either for disposal of waste with high organic matter content, animal remains or even food residue (Vranova, Marfo Th, and Rejsek 2015).…”

Section: Methodology and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental aspects of ancient city planning: a pilot study on Ancient Thouria in the Peloponnese, Greece

Panagiotidis

Malaperdas

Valantou

et al. 2019

STAR: Science & Technology of Archaeological Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this paper environmental, topographic and geological data of the Classical till Roman Times thriving city of Ancient Thouria situated in Messenia, SW Peloponnese, Greece are presented in context to their archaeological interpretation of the study area's landscape and usage. Using environmental and geographic factors in collaboration with soil characterization, a preliminary spatial analysis was conducted, aiming at the archaeological interpretation of parameters such as water availability, weather conditions, topography, settlement accessibility and land fertility, taking under account analytical data of soil samples retrieved from a section of an ongoing excavation. The study was conducted using a digital elevation model of the area that enabled the examination of the criteria of watershed, slope, aspect and visibility and assisted X-ray Fluorescence analysis of soil samples from the Asklepieion excavated area thus highlighting the contribution of spatial and in situ analysis to archaeology.

show abstract

Soil Scientific Research Methods Used in Archaeology - Promising Soil Biochemistry: a Mini-review

Abstract: VRANOVÁ VALERIE, DANSO MARFO THEODORE, REJŠEK KLEMENT.

Cited by 10 publications

References 70 publications

Microscopic Analysis of Starch Grains and its Applications in the Archaeology of the Stone Age

Microscopic Analysis of Starch Grains and its Applications in the Archaeology of the Stone Age

Transformations of different soils under natural and anthropogenized land management

Environmental aspects of ancient city planning: a pilot study on Ancient Thouria in the Peloponnese, Greece

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About