Geoarchaeology-An International Journal最新文献

Soil erosion poses a considerable threat to ecosystem services around the world. Among these, it is extremely problematic for archaeological sites, particularly in arable landscapes where accelerated soil degradation has been widely observed. Conversely, some archaeological deposits may obtain a certain level of protection when they are covered by eroded material, thereby lessening the impacts of phenomena such as plow damage or bioturbation. As a result, detailed knowledge of the extent of colluvial deposition is of great value to site management and the development of appropriate methodological strategies. This is particularly true of battlefield sites, where the integrity of artifacts in the topsoil is of great importance and conventional metal detection (with its shallow depth of exploration) is relied upon as the primary method of investigation. Using the Napoleonic battlefield of Waterloo in Belgium as a case study, this paper explores how different noninvasive datasets can be combined with ancillary data and a limited sampling scheme to map colluvial deposits in high resolution and at a large scale. Combining remote sensing, geophysical, and invasive sampling datasets that target related phenomena across spatial scales allows for overcoming some of their respective limitations and derives a better understanding of the extent of colluvial deposition.

Fumane Cave contains a sequence of natural and anthropogenic deposits documenting key transitions in the Paleolithic of Northern Italy. Open questions remain concerning the stratigraphic integrity, the formation processes, postdepositional alterations, and paleoclimatic implications of the sedimentary record. We examine these aspects through an extensive investigation based on field descriptions and micromorphological analysis of thin sections sampled during the last 25 years of excavations. Major components of the sediments are carbonate sands and limestone rubble originating from the physical breakdown of the cave roof and walls. Limited amounts of mica and quartz grains attest to weak eolian inputs. Sediments contain anthropogenic features and variable amounts of charcoal, bone, and lithic artifacts reflecting different uses of the site. Cryoturbation features observed in the field suggest an increased intensity of frost mainly after the accumulation of unit A2. This unit as well as unit A6 also show increased abundance of silt and clay cappings under the microscope, probably reflecting higher rates of snowfall and percolating meltwater during colder periods of the Last Glacial. However, limited expression of micromorphological features related to frost suggests rather modest changes in climate during the accumulation of the sequence. Overall, field descriptions and the micromorphological approach mostly corroborate the stratigraphic integrity of the sequence, underlining the high value of Fumane Cave as an archive of the late Middle to early Upper Paleolithic in Southern Europe.

This paper presents a unique set of maps and geospatial data covering 16 ancient terrace agricultural systems in the upper part of the Río Grande de Nasca drainage. These systems are located on the western Andean flank (1200 and 3800 m asl), in the districts of Llauta, Laramate, and Ocaña in Lucanas province, Ayacucho region, southern Peru (14.5° S). Spanning various periods of the prehispanic era (1000 bce–1532 ce), only limited sections of these terraces are still in use today. Our field methods include archaeological, geomorphological, and drone surveys. The terrace systems were mapped using (1) satellite imagery and (2) high-resolution Digital Surface Models (DSMs) within a Geographic Information System (GIS). The geospatial analysis and mapping results encompass parameters such as elevation range, terrace area, number and condition of terrace walls, length and height of terrace walls, area of individual terraced fields, associated architecture (e.g., irrigation canals), slope, current vegetation and use, and chronology. By documenting the widespread distribution, extent, and diversity of agricultural terraces in the region, this data set is extremely valuable for understanding prehispanic human-environment interactions and land use dynamics, as well as indigenous agricultural practices and resilience strategies in response to environmental and climate change.

Kropfsberg, located near Reith im Alpbachtal, in North Tyrol (Austria), has been exploited for its copper ores for centuries, since at least the Early Iron Age. Excavations conducted in 2020 by the University of Innsbruck exposed the detailed stratigraphic sequence of the mine, leading to a surprising discovery: what was initially believed to be only a site for mineral extraction showed clear indications of ritual use during the Roman period and Late Antiquity. These cultic layers are characterised by abundant charcoals, animal bones and almost 200 votive coins, and suggest that the mine served during this period as a Mithraeum. Using micromorphology and µXRF, along with macroscopic, hydro- and geomorphological information about the mine and its surroundings, we reconstructed the processes that led to the deposition of sediments within this artificial cave. Our analyses indicate that remains of ceremonial fires and offerings were deposited within a cultic pit, rather than being spread over the floor. Also, evidence suggests that the cultic use of the mine likely ceased before the area surrounding the mine was flooded, potentially due to the damming of the Inn River caused by a significant rock fall during the Roman period. We also traced the phases following the inundation, including the cave's reopening after a period of abandonment, and identified a sequence of mining backfills that provide evidence of the site's subsequent secular use. Ultimately, the study sheds new light on the cultural and geomorphological dynamics of the Inn Valley during the Roman Period and the Late Antiquity, while underscoring the importance of integrating microarchaeological approaches to disentangle the complex interaction of cultural and environmental influences, even in historical (artificial) cave contexts.

Reconstructing (pre-)historic land use distribution is essential for understanding past human societies and their impacts on the environment. Various land use forms result in distinct alterations of surface morphology, which are often well preserved but rarely described within forest areas. The interpretation of LiDAR Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) can greatly enhance our insight into the geoarchaeological records of woodlands. This study examines the legacies of past land use in forested areas of Upper Palatinate, Germany, utilizing LiDAR DEMs to map anthropogenic relief features. We comprehensively mapped land use legacy landforms (LULLs) that occur with considerable frequency in the study area, that is, former agricultural field systems, road remnants, abandoned ponds, relict charcoal hearths, mining legacies, and indicators of anthropogenically induced soil erosion. Results reveal that 17% of the forested area is affected by LULLs, with the largest areas covered by former field systems, roads, and ponds. Characteristic LULL associations reflect past agricultural and charcoal production landscapes. While erosion indicators often coincide with field systems and roads, natural factors mainly influence their distribution. Comparison with historical maps suggests pre-19th-century abandonment of most LULLs and good preservation of anthropogenic relief modifications. Our results underscore the enduring impact of past land use on present woodland ecosystems and emphasize the importance of considering forest areas in the analysis of past human–landscape interactions.