Unravelling urban stratigraphy. The study of Brussels’ (Belgium) Dark Earth. An archaeopedological perspective

Devos, Yannick; Vrydaghs, Luc; Degraeve, Ann; Modrie, Sylvianne

doi:10.1484/j.mmm.1.102776

Cited by 31 publications

(22 citation statements)

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“…A total of 154 well‐identified units originating from 23 sites have been included in the database. Their identification relies on historical, archaeological, geoarchaeological, and archaeobotanical data (see Degré, ; Devos, ; ; ; Devos et al., ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Fechner, ; ; Vrydaghs, Devos, Fechner, & Degraeve, ) (Figure ). Based on these identifications, the deposits are grouped into 12 categories (Table ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

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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Section: Methodsmentioning

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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“…In the past, a series of models have been developed to understand their complex formation history (see for instance Galinié, ; Heimdahl, ; Macphail, ). Based on the numerous observations within Brussels a specific model has been developed (Devos, ; Devos et al, ). At different levels, it takes into account parent materials, time, climate, topography, cultural and noncultural processes, human activities, and continuity.…”

Section: The Present: Key Issues and Current Debatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…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%

“…) and human activities including pastoral, agricultural, construction, merchant, and artisanal activities within the centre of Brussels (Devos et. al., 2007a;Devos, Vrydaghs, Laurent, Degraeve, & Modrie, 2007b;Devos, Vrydaghs, Degraeve, & Fechner, 2009;Devos, Vrydaghs, Degraeve, & Modrie, 2011;Devos et. al., 2013a;Devos et.…”

Section: The Brussels Capital Regionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to a lack of reliable written sources, the origins of Brussels have been the subject of discussion among historians for over a century. The geoarchaeological data have demonstrated the importance of agriculture within the early development of town (Devos, ; Devos & Degraeve, ; Devos et al, ; ; Vannieuwenhuyze et al, ; Vrydaghs, Devos, Charruadas, Scott‐Cummings, & Degraeve, ). A second question is concerned with the spatial organization of activities.…”

Section: Introduction: the Pastmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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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