Analysis and Characterization of Paleosoil: A Preliminary Study and Possible Applications in Forensic Archaeology

Abstract

This paper presents the results of analysis conducted on soil samples collected on the Isola delle Statue in Porto Marghera (Venice, Italy). The analyses were aimed at the mineralogical – petrographic characterization and evaluation of the possible presence of layers of a paleo soil (Neolithic age). For the characterization of the sediments have been used different techniques of microscopy, including the plating of the finer fraction of the samples with liquid paraffin and glycole on slide. This partial-destructive technique has allowed us to detect the presence of pollen and biotic remains sometimes undetected in preparations in thin section of the same. The techniques of optical microscopy has been associated with analysis by XRD - Method of powder. The combined application of these techniques and analytical methods of optical and diffractometric has a permission to obtain satisfactory results in terms of archaeological characterization. Indeed, the presence of smectite detected by XRD - Method of powder, associated with the presence of detected biotic remains pollen and plant on sample plating, has a permission to highlight the presence of a layer of paleo soil. In this preliminary study, it is seen, therefore, that the method of plating on a glass slide and the study of smectite can be of great help in forensic archaeological investigation for the verification of compatibility and discrimination of traces of soil.