Soil micromorphology for construction science: the mortar archaeometry

Micromorphology revealed in depth evaluation of materials particularly soil micromorphology yielded numerous data on processes such as formation, neoformation and transformation of minerals and microstructure in soils, pottery and construction materials. Mortars, one of the first human made materials for construction of Byzantine and the Ottoman worlds were compared in terms of micromorphology and mineralogy

Leaf Micromorphology Aids Taxonomic Delineation within the Hypervariable Genus Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) on O\u27ahu

Variation in leaf micromorphology can aid delimitation of taxonomically difficult groups. The woody genus Metrosideros (Myrtaceae) dominates Hawai\u27i\u27s native forests and comprises striking, predominantly infraspecific, macromorphological variation, including many forms unrecognized in current taxonomic treatments. On taxonomically rich O\u27ahu, 10 taxa (varieties or unnamed morphotypes of M. polymorpha and other species) occur in a predictable sequence with overlapping ranges from low to high elevation along the numerous leeward ridges of the Ko\u27olau Range. We used scanning electron and light microscopy to examine mature, nonsenescing sun leaves from each of these 10 taxa. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to compare stomatal complex (SC) traits and those of a newly described secretory structure (SS) across taxa. Correlations among traits and discriminant analyses were also done. Density and length of SCs were inversely related overall, and both measures varied significantly across taxa. Although abaxial SSs were consistently present only in the two highest-elevation glabrous taxa, adaxial SSs were present in all 10 taxa. Length and density of adaxial SSs and density of abaxial SSs varied across taxa, and densities of both SCs and SSs were greatest at high elevation. Combined, the SC and SS traits differentiated 100% of four glabrous varieties and two of three pubescent varieties of M. polymorpha. Variation in leaf micromorphology, including presence and density of a newly described SS, aids delimitation of closely related Hawaiian Metrosideros taxa and may refilect differential local adaptation across a heterogeneous landscape

Analysis of prehistoric brown earth paleosols under the podzol soils of Exmoor, UK

The deforestation of the upland landscapes in southwest Britain during prehistory is an established archaeological narrative, documenting human impacts on the environment and questioning the relationship of prehistoric societies to the upland landscapes they inhabited. Allied to the paleoenvironmental analyses of pollen sequences, which have provided the evidence of this change, there has been some investigation of prehistoric paleosols fossilized under principally Bronze Age archaeological monuments. These analyses identified brown earth soils that were originally associated with temperate deciduous woodland, on occasion showing evidence of human impacts such as tilling. However, the number of analyses of these paleosols has been limited. This study presents the first analysis of a series of pre‐podzol brown earth paleosols on Exmoor, UK, two of which are associated with colluvial soil erosion sediments before the formation of peat. This study indicates these paleosols are spatially extensive and have considerable potential to inform a more nuanced understanding of prehistoric human impacts on the upland environments of the early‐mid Holocene and assess human agency in driving ecosystem change

Excavations at Iona Abbey 2017: Data Structure Report

Initial summary of 2017 excavations at Iona Abbey

The byre's tale : farming nutrient-poor cover sands at the edge of the Roman Empire

ABSTRACT Prior to the construction of a highABSTRACT-speed railway track (TGV) between Antwerp (Belgium) and the Dutch border, archaeological and geoarchaeological research was conducted at several archaeological sites. All are situated in the northern Campine, a region characterised by quartz-rich, nutrient-poor cover sands. On the site of Brecht-Zoegweg, two well preserved deepened byres (‘potstallen’) were uncovered in Roman stable-houses. Stables with sunken floors are commonly recorded on Roman-period farms in the sandy part of northern Belgium. Following medieval to sub-recent parallels in the area, they are considered to be features serving agricultural fertilising purposes through the intentional accumulation of dung and the creation of manure by mixing with added organic matter (sods or ‘plaggen’). This archaeopedological research investigates several questions concerning the origin and the infill process of these remarkable features. Field observations, analytical and micromorphological data point to a gradual succession of events leading to a byre with a sunken floor, rather than an intentional digging out of the floor concomitant with the house construction and a post-occupational filling or levelling. It is furthermore suggested that plaggen fertilisation could indeed have been applied, at least in some of the phases of the byre use.This article is part of a book edited at the occasion of the Geoarchaeological meeting of Bruges: Soils as records of Past and Present: the geoarchaeological approach. Focus on: is there time for fieldwork today? - Bruges (Belgium), 6 and 7.11.2019. Editors Judit Deák, Carole Ampe and Jari Hinsch Mikkelsen Technical editor Mariebelle Deceuninck English language reviewer Caroline Landsheere Graphic design Frederick Moyaert Printing and binding Die Keure, Bruge

Recognition of micro-scale deformation structures in glacial sediments - pattern perception, observer bias and the influence of experience

It is a scientist's mission to try to remain unbiased. However, certain factors play a role in scientific analyses that are not controlled by conscious thought. These factors are potentially very important in areas of science where interpretations are based on a scientist's ability to identify patterns or structures. One such area is the micromorphology of glacial sediments. In this paper we investigate the role of an analyst's experience in relation to pattern perception with specific reference to turbate microstructures in glacial diamictons. An experiment was conducted on 52 participants, which demonstrated that, as may be expected, more experienced (glacial) micromorphologists tend to exhibit a higher sensitivity-to-signal, but that complete novices, if given clear instructions, can reach levels of sensitivity similar to those of experts. It also showed, perhaps more surprisingly, that response bias does not decrease with experience. We discuss psychological factors, such as the drive for success and consistency, that may have contributed to these results and investigate their possible implications in the micromorphological analysis and interpretation of glacial sediments

Soil Micromorphologic Features of Holocene Surface Weathering and a Possible Late Quaternary Buried Soil, Northwest Arkansas

Micromorphologic features of an alfisol developed in White River alluvium near Fayetteville, Arkansas are typical for this soil order. The A horizon has a relatively high organic matter content and an abundance of quartz sand grains with a silt and clay matrix. Voids are relatively common and some have been partly infilled. In contrast to the A horizon, the E horizon has less organic matter, larger voids, and some weak orientation of the clay matrix. The parent material for these horizons was deposited in the past 4,700 years and these pedologic horizons have formed since that time. In the underlying B horizon clay has accumulated in the form of grain coatings and caps and as void linings. Translocation of clay into this horizon has relatively decreased the abundance of matrix silt and clay, and the amount of void space. The clay matrix that remains has extensively become oriented and some of the void space that remains is planar in shape. Both these features are partly responsible for the subangular blocky structure of this horizon. Deposition of this parent material began more than 8,000 to 10,000 years ago and was complete by 4,700 years ago. Many of the soil features have formed since 4,700 BP as the soil surface accreted upward. The lower portion of the B horizon (2B) is developed in an older alluvial parent material, more than 10,000 years old. Some micromorphologic features suggest that the upper portion of this 2B horizon originally was an A/E horizon that has been modified after burial by subsequent weathering of the present ground soil. Some relict surface horizon features, such as relatively abundant voids, infilled vughs, and matrix, have persisted after burial. Other features characteristic of A horizons, such as organic matter, have been destroyed by oxidation. Many of the micromorphologic features in this 2B horizon have developed since burial, more than 10,000 years ago. Translocated clay features are abundant and partially mask the relict A/E horizon features. The lower part of the 2B horizon was a B horizon that continued to develop as a B horizon after burial. Translocated clay features are more abundant in this horizon than in the overlying relict A/E horizon