Studying urban stratigraphy: Dark Earth and a microstratified sequence on the site of the Court of Hoogstraeten (Brussels, Belgium). Integrating archaeopedology and phytolith analysis

Devos, Yannick; Nicosia, Cristiano; Vrydaghs, Luc; Modrie, Sylvianne

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2013.07.024

Cited by 42 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The fact that the phytolith record is limited to grasses is intriguing and does not necessarily correlate with its identification as a garden/backyard. A comparable spectrum has, however, also been observed for a historically documented garden layer (Devos, Nicosia, et al, ) and a backyard/garden deposit (Devos et al, ) in Brussels. However, hay could have been added to the surface as part of other activities (see Section 5).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 60%

“…Especially in contexts where other botanical remains (pollen, plant macro‐remains) are poorly preserved, as is the case in Tongeren, the study of phytoliths in soil thin section is crucial as it provides an additional tool for the identification of plant remains. The integration of the study of phytoliths within a micromorphological study generates a more accurate understanding of their taphonomy and function (i.e., see Devos, Nicosia, Vrydaghs, & Modrie, ; Devos, Wouters, Vrydaghs, et al, ; Vrydaghs, Ball, & Devos, ; Vrydaghs, Devos, & Petö, ; Vrydaghs & Devos, ; Wouters, Devos, Milek, et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An integrated micromorphological and phytolith study of urban soils and sediments from the Gallo‐Roman town Atuatuca Tungrorum, Belgium

et al. 2019

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Tongeren is the only Roman administrative capital within the borders of present‐day Belgium. It developed in the first century A.D. and became an important civitas. Many excavations in the center of town have uncovered complex stratigraphic sequences, including dark earths, dating to Roman as well as early medieval times. Their interpretation, based on traditional archaeological methods, often remains problematic. A large‐scale excavation at Vermeulenstraat in 2014 is the first occasion where a geoarchaeological study was conducted using both micromorphology and the study of phytoliths in thin sections. The aim was to evaluate the impact of depositional and post‐depositional processes, to gain an understanding of the formation of the dark earths encountered on the site, to characterize the deposits between and underneath them, and to identify and differentiate human activities and natural phenomena. The results show a range of different activities and events, such as cultivation, construction (including floor preparation), destruction, waste dumping, and gardening. Their different formation histories illustrate the evolution of the area, and their analysis provides an important precedent for the further geoarchaeological study of this town.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 60%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An integrated micromorphological and phytolith study of urban soils and sediments from the Gallo‐Roman town Atuatuca Tungrorum, Belgium

et al. 2019

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“…This is explained by the input of organic manure, including excrements and domestic waste (bones, ashes–both rich in inorganic phosphorus) (Table ). Although, a clear distinction can be made between both based on micromorphological data, since gardens present a much more diverse and rich content of phosphorus containing materials (see for example Devos, Nicosia, Vrydaghs, & Modrie, ), phosphorus data do not significantly differ between cropfields and gardens.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Near total and inorganic phosphorus concentrations as a proxy for identifying ancient activities in urban contexts: The example of dark earth in Brussels, Belgium

Devos

2017

Geoarchaeology

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Urban stratigraphy is characterized by complicated sequences resulting from many superimposed phases of human occupation and activity. Parts of these deposits are difficult to interpret solely based on field data. One typical example is “dark earth”: thick, dark‐colored, humic, homogeneous archaeological deposits covering large areas. The correct interpretation of dark earths requires a geoarchaeological approach that involves detailed micromorphological observations. The present article discusses the potential of applying near total and inorganic phosphorus analyses as a quick and relatively cheap method to obtain a preliminary characterization of such urban deposits. For the town of Brussels (Belgium), a large database of 12 types of well‐identified urban deposits was created. Despite a series of postdepositional processes that affected most of these urban deposits, significant differences in near total (Pnt), inorganic (Pi), organic (Po) phosphate levels, and/or Pnt/Pi, Pni/Po ratios were observed in most types of deposits, thus enabling the rapid characterization of dark earth deposits.

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“…In Brussels, the following main activities have been identified: pasture, cultivation, middening, gardening, construction/destruction, quarrying/extraction, abandonment, leveling, metalworking, market, and domestic activities (see Devos, ; Devos et al, ; Devos, Nicosia, Vrydaghs, & Modrie, ; Devos et al ). The study of Dark Earth in Aalst, Tongeren, Lier, Ypres, and Antwerp also showed the presence of agricultural and/or pastoral activities (Devos, ; Devos et al, ; Wouters & Devos, ; Wouters et al, ), with horticulture attested in Late‐Roman Tongeren only (Wouters et al, ).…”

Section: The Present: Key Issues and Current Debatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study of a series of such microstratified deposits in Brussels and Flanders demonstrates their importance to the understanding of the use of space within towns. Domestic house floors and stable floors have been identified in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ypres (Crabtree et al, ; Devos et al, ; Puy, ; Wouters & Devos, ). Floor preparation layers were observed in Tongeren (Wouters et al, ), and a fireplace in Brussels (Devos et al, ).…”

Section: The Present: Key Issues and Current Debatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban geoarchaeology in Belgium: Experiences and innovations

2019

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Geoarchaeological research in urban contexts is a relatively recent development in Belgian geoarchaeology, with pioneering studies dating back to the 1990s. In the beginning of the 21st century, a specific research protocol was developed in Brussels, and in the last years, there have been several attempts to apply a similar approach to urban contexts in Flanders and occasionally in Wallonia. Current debates in urban geoarchaeology mainly focus on: The study of site stratigraphy (microstratified layers and Dark Earths) The impact of urbanization on the soil Rivers in towns Reconstruction of the ancient relief and its modifications through time Soil erosion and soil protection Ancient soil pollution The integration of geoarchaeology with other archaeo‐environmental studies (archaeobotany, archaeozoology, etc.) Key themes for the future development of Belgian urban geoarchaeology include the in situ preservation of sites; a further integration with other methods and method development; systematic studies producing topographical insight and mapping; and synthesis work on critical issues.

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Studying urban stratigraphy: Dark Earth and a microstratified sequence on the site of the Court of Hoogstraeten (Brussels, Belgium). Integrating archaeopedology and phytolith analysis

Cited by 42 publications

References 32 publications

An integrated micromorphological and phytolith study of urban soils and sediments from the Gallo‐Roman town Atuatuca Tungrorum, Belgium

An integrated micromorphological and phytolith study of urban soils and sediments from the Gallo‐Roman town Atuatuca Tungrorum, Belgium

Near total and inorganic phosphorus concentrations as a proxy for identifying ancient activities in urban contexts: The example of dark earth in Brussels, Belgium

Urban geoarchaeology in Belgium: Experiences and innovations

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