Micromorphology of sediments: Deciphering archaeological context

Abstract

Karkanas, P. and Goldberg, P. 2007. Micromorphology of sediments: Decipher ing archaeological context. Isr. J. Earth sci. 56: 63–71. The study of the sediments in an archaeological site is a fundamental issue for understanding how the site was built. However, a sedimentary contextual analysis based on the microscopic study of undisturbed sediments, known as soil micromorphology, is needed for interpreting correctly the archaeological record. The analysis of microstratigraphy and microstructure of the archaeological sequences and examination of the relationship among construction features, sediments, and their archaeological findings is essential for interpreting natural depositional processes and palaeoenviron mental changes, human-induced soil formations and disturbances, land management, and the use of space and structure of sites. Micromorphological studies of archaeological sediments in Israel have provided information on the relationship between environmental changes and the cultural history of the sites. In several cases, micromorphology, in combination with other instrumental techniques, has revealed details of the cultural nature of the sites and improved our knowledge of the behavior of their habitants. Questions related to occupational intensity, domestic and stabling activities, post-depositional changes and cultural modification of the sediments, constructions, and stratigraphic correlation have been satisfactorily addressed along with the analysis of the microstructure of the sediments. Future directions of micromorphology should concentrate on deciphering the full spectrum of formation processes in historical complex urban sites. This might be accomplished by using experiments and data from modern analogues, but also by expanding case studies both spatially and temporally.