Improved isolation of archeomagnetic signals by combined low temperature and alternating field demagnetization

Abstract

Conventional alternating field (AF) demagnetization of the magnetite-bearing claystone foundations of a Saxon or late medieval lime kiln in Lincolnshire, England fail to isolate stable characteristic remanences, or remanences compatible with possible contemporary geomagnetic field orientations. Consolidation of the material prevented thermal demagnetization. When low temperature demagnetization (LTD) precedes AF demagnetization, however, the vector plots show a stable characteristic (primary) component. Magnetic anisotropy measurements show that the LTD did not significantly disturb the mineral fabric of the claystone, that the mineral fabric did not deflect the palaeofield, and that AF demagnetization did not induce a field-impressed anisotropy during the experiments. Anisotropy of low-field magnetic susceptibility (AMS) is affected by all minerals, and therefore the anisotropy of the magnetite was isolated by measuring anisotropy of anhysteretic remanence (AARM); this is of more relevance in evaluating the potential for palaeofield deflection. Thus, we conclude that LTD preceding AF demagnetization is responsible for improving the isolation of a characteristic remanence, which then favours a late medieval age for the kiln foundation.