Textural Pedofeatures and Related Horizons

Kühn, Peter; Aguilar, J.; Miedema, R.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-53156-8.00011-8

Cited by 64 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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“…In particular, the occasionally observed finely laminated limpid clay coatings are the result of slow transport of clay and are characteristic of clay illuviation in Bt horizons (Kühn et al 2010). Its spatial development supports this conclusion as well (see discussion of RBSR Stratigraphic aggregate).…”

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confidence: 58%

Interpreting human behavior from depositional rates and combustion features through the study of sedimentary microfacies at site Pinnacle Point 5-6, South Africa

Karkanas

Brown

Fisher

et al. 2015

Journal of Human Evolution

146

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, C. W. (2015). Interpreting human behavior from depositional rates and combustion features through the study of sedimentary microfacies at site Pinnacle Point 5-6, South Africa. Journal of Human Evolution, 85 1-21.Interpreting human behavior from depositional rates and combustion features through the study of sedimentary microfacies at site Pinnacle Point 5-6, South Africa AbstractUsing fine and coarse resolution geoarchaeological studies at the Middle Stone Age site of PP5-6 at Pinnacle Point, Mossel Bay, South Africa, we discovered different patterns of anthropogenic input and changes in behavior through time. Through the microfacies approach, we documented the various geogenic and anthropogenic processes that formed the deposits of the site. By deciphering large scale rate differences in the production of these microfacies we estimated anthropogenic input rates and therefore gained understanding of occupational duration and intensity.The PP5-6 sediments document occupations characterized by small groups and short visits during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5. This part of the sequence is characterized by numerous single (and mostly intact) hearth structures in a roofspall-rich matrix. During this time the sea was very close to the site and the people were focused on exploiting the rocky shores. With the advent of the glacial conditions of MIS4, the occupation of the site became much more intense. The occurrence of thick palimpsests of burnt remains, sometimes disturbed by small-scale sedimentary gravity processes, supports this conclusion. As sea level dropped and the coastline retreated, the geogenic input shifted to predominately aeolian sediments, implying an exposed shelf probably associated with a rich but more distant coastal environment. The occupants of PP5-6 turned their preference to silcrete as a raw material and they began to make microlithic stone tools. Since sites dating to MIS4 are abundant in the Cape, we suggest that populations during MIS4 responded to glacial conditions with either demographic stability or growth as well as technological change. Abstract: Using simultaneously fine and coarse resolution geoarchaeological studies of the deposits of the Middle Stone Age site of PP5-6 at Pinnacle Point, Mossel Bay, South Africa, we were able to reveal different patterns of anthropogenic input and behavior and how these changed through time. Through the microfacies approach using micromorphology we documented the various geogenic and anthropogenic processes that formed the deposits of the site. By deciphering large scale rate differences in the production of these microfacies we estimated anthropogenic input rates and therefore gained understanding of occupational duration and intensity.The PP5-6 sediments document occupations characterized by small groups and short visits during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5. This part of the sequence is characterized by numerous single and mostly intact hearth structures in a roofspall-rich matrix. During this time the sea was very close to the site and the peop...

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mentioning

confidence: 58%

Interpreting human behavior from depositional rates and combustion features through the study of sedimentary microfacies at site Pinnacle Point 5-6, South Africa

Karkanas

Brown

Fisher

et al. 2015

Journal of Human Evolution

146

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“…Kühn et al . () reported that clay coatings can be identified easily in a thin section by their optical characteristics; however, their quantification by point counting has been questioned because of its poor reproducibility (Terribile & Fitzpatrick, ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thematic micro‐maps of soil components using high‐resolution spatially referenced mosaics from whole soil thin sections and image analysis

Gutiérrez-Castorena

González-Vargas

et al. 2017

European J Soil Science

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Summary In the quantification and analysis of the distribution of soil basic components, factors such as spatial resolution, scales of observation and analytical techniques used to interpret digital images of microscopic platforms are critical to obtain reproducible results. In addition, individual or discrete images, sometimes with high spatial resolution, distort features or basic components when zooming in or out, which limits their classification. This research proposes the use of micromorphological tools, spatially referenced mosaics with high resolution, image analysis and composite images to elaborate thematic maps of soil components. Therefore, we created mosaics with sequential digital images from soil thin sections (up to 3850 mm2) of different diagnostic horizons, with different magnifications (2×, 10× and 20×) and light sources. The mosaics (between 0.25 and 2.6 μm2 per pixel, and between 2 and 8 GB file size) were processed by image analysis (segmentation, supervised classification and accuracy assessments) for delimiting their basic soil components from composite images and with spatial operators to elaborate thematic maps at the microscopic level. The RGB (red, green, blue) brightness values of each soil component with different light sources enabled us to identify and quantify size classes of aggregates, voids, pedofeatures and organic matter with different degrees of decomposition at a high level of precision (up to 99% overall accuracy). It was also possible to develop good‐quality thematic maps of such components from high‐resolution spatially referenced mosaics and composite images Thematic maps of soil components can be explored without losing their spatial reference and analysed on multiple scales from a whole soil thin section. Highlights Micromorphology and digital cartography to develop thematic maps of soil components High spatial resolution mosaics from thin sections and image analysis were used for mapping RGB brightness values of different light sources facilitated mapping of soil features Accurate maps enabled quantification and analysis of spatial relations of soil components

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“…Sorting features, such as graded bedding, may be formed on exposed surfaces when a surface is saturated but then undergoes sudden drying (Figure d; Courty et al, ; Miller & Goldberg, ). The silty clay laminations associated with MF4 may also suggest slow water action rather than the rapid deposition seen in debris flows (Kühn et al, ). Phases of gradual accumulation may also be indicated by the mineral components of the MF2 groundmass, which includes a high proportion of silt, about 70%, as well as low intrapedal porosity (5–10%); these silty components may be eolian material that settled into dense areas when surfaces were exposed and permeable.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urban micromorphology: A microecological narrative of a Neopalatial neighborhood at Bronze Age Palaikastro, Crete

Kulick

2019

Geoarchaeology

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The new micromorphological evidence from the 2013–2015 Palace and Landscape at Palaikastro (PALAP) excavations (Crete, Greece) provides significant information on a new area of the Bronze Age urban center of Palaikastro and its surrounding environment—a microecological narrative. The evidence suggests that slope processes had a significant impact on the area of three newly excavated buildings during the Neopalatial period (1650/1640–1440/1430 B.C.). The findings indicate that phases of gradual sediment accumulation, associated with flooding and eolian deposition, occurred during the Middle Minoan III to Late Minoan IA periods; such phases may indicate active slope or landscape management (e.g., terracing). In contrast, periods of increased slope instability, possibly relating to abandonment phases, occurred in the Late Minoan IB period. Combined with other archaeological evidence, micromorphological observations suggest a local aridity event in Late Minoan IB, and this dry period may be connected to larger regional and Mediterranean climatic patterns.

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Textural Pedofeatures and Related Horizons

Cited by 64 publications

References 92 publications

Interpreting human behavior from depositional rates and combustion features through the study of sedimentary microfacies at site Pinnacle Point 5-6, South Africa

Interpreting human behavior from depositional rates and combustion features through the study of sedimentary microfacies at site Pinnacle Point 5-6, South Africa

Thematic micro‐maps of soil components using high‐resolution spatially referenced mosaics from whole soil thin sections and image analysis

Urban micromorphology: A microecological narrative of a Neopalatial neighborhood at Bronze Age Palaikastro, Crete

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