Prospecting the physicochemical past. Three dimensional geochemical investigation into the use of space in Viking Age sites in southern Norway using portable XRF.

This research centres on the use of portable X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) as a tool for archaeological geochemistry. The instrument was used as part of varied contextual, vertical and horizontal sampling strategies on three Viking Age sites in southern Norway in order to investigate archaeological geochemistry as a method of better understanding spatial and temporal variation in occupation deposits. Archaeological deposits are often truncated, redeposited or otherwise disturbed, which limits the application of more established methods for geochemical sampling by means of a static, horizontal grid. Instead, flexible sampling strategies were developed that included coring as a prospection method combined with high-resolution GPR data. The combination of portable XRF and coring, both within excavation contexts and as prospection, allowed high resolution analysis directly onto the core. The minimal sample preparation allowed a greater data volume to be gathered, and the data provided a geochemical chronological sequence for the deposits. Thus, both spatial and temporal planes were accessible where the archaeological material was suitable. The validity of this method, as well as the use of portable XRF for geochemical analysis in archaeology, was assessed critically throughout this research. The results suggest that there is a loss of accuracy and resolution by using portable XRF on unprepared samples; here this is deemed offset by the benefits. The method of coring, and thus preserving the stratigraphy for sampling and analysis, allows not only the continuity and change within the archaeological deposits to be assessed, but also details soil processes to a greater extent than established, extraction based methods such as ICP-MS. XRF analyses the whole sample, and whilst this can mute certain trends in the anthropological inputs, it means that interpretation can include the impact soil processes have had on these inputs by stratigraphic phase. Moreover, on sites where preservation is limited, deposits that would previously be disregarded for geochemistry can be used to form some understanding of past occupation from the little that remains. This approach is developed though the course of the three case studies, and the data statistically treated using principal component analysis, and interpreted from a geoarchaeological perspective. The research also attempts to embrace theoretical perspectives that enhance insight into past social and cultural practices. As archaeological geochemistry aims to understand space, it is also fundamental to understand the social meaning of space within the contexts investigated

How much rain is too much for a GPR survey? Results of the Borre Monitoring Project

Soil moisture variation is complex and depends on a range of factors, which complicates the formulation of recommendations for GPR surveys. Low amounts of soil moisture produced GPR data of higher quality. However, precipitation rates as well as chronological sequence of precipitation/thawing processes and the GPR survey are of importance. Winter months can offer favorable conditions for GPR surveys if temperatures remain negative over a prolonged time period, allowing for frost to build in the ground. Results of the Borre Monitoring Project (BMP) are valid only for sites with similar settings as Borre; the monitoring approach, however, can be transferred to larger regions with more representative sites

Good and ‘bad’ deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from a rapid qualitative study

Dealing with excess death in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the question of a good or bad death' into sharp relief as countries across the globe have grappled with multiple peaks of cases and mortality; and communities mourn those lost. In the UK, these challenges have included the fact that mortality has adversely affected minority communities. Corpse disposal and social distancing guidelines do not allow a process of mourning in which families and communities can be involved in the dying process. This study aimed to examine the main concerns of faith and non-faith communities across the UK in relation to death in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research team used rapid ethnographic methods to examine the adaptations to the dying process prior to hospital admission, during admission, during the disposal and release of the body, during funerals and mourning. The study revealed that communities were experiencing collective loss, were making necessary adaptations to rituals that surrounded death, dying and mourning and would benefit from clear and compassionate communication and consultation with authorities

'A good death' during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK: a report on key findings and recommendations

Dealing with death and bereavement in the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic will present significant challenges for at least the next three months. The current situation does not allow for families andbcommunities to be involved in the process of death in ways in which they would normally hope or expect to be. In addition, mortality rates will disproportionately affect vulnerable households. The government has identified the following communities as being at increased risk: single parent households; multi-generational Black and Minority Ethnic groups; men without degrees in lone households and/or in precarious work; small family business owners in their 50s; and elderlyhouseholds. Our study focused on these groups. This report presents a summary of findings and key recommendations by a team of anthropologists from the London School of Economics who conducted a public survey and 58 cross-community interviews between 3 and 9 April 2020. It explores ways to prepare these communities and households for impending deaths with communications and policy support. More information on the research methodology, data protection and ethical procedures is available in Appendix 1. A summary of relevant existing research can be found in Appendix 2. A list of key contacts across communities for consultation is available on request. Research was focused on “what a good death looks like” for people across all faiths and for vulnerable groups. It examined how communities were already adapting how they dealt with processes of dying, burials, funerals and bereavement during the pandemic, and responding to new government regulations. It specifically focused on five transitions in the process of death, and what consultation processes, policies and communications strategies could be mobilised to support communities through these phases

A right to care: the social foundations of recovery from Covid-19

This report presents key findings from a 6-month ethnographic study on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on disadvantaged households and communities across the UK conducted by anthropologists from the London School of Economics, and associates. This research involved in-depth interviews and multiple surveys with people across communities in the UK, with particular focus on a number of case studies of intersecting disadvantage. Crucially, our research has found that Government policy can improve adherence to restrictions and reduce the negative impacts of the pandemic on disadvantaged communities by placing central importance on communities, social networks and households to the economy and social life. This would be the most effective way to increase public trust and adherence to Covid-19 measures, because it would recognise the suffering that communities have experienced and would build policy on the basis of what is most important to people - the thriving of their families and communities

Bosetnings- og aktivitetsspor. Asker gård, Bjørndalen, 1/21, Asker, Akershus.

I forbindelse med reguleringsplan som skal legge til rette for boligbebyggelse og barnhage i Bjørndalen, Asker, ble det utfort en arkeologisk utgravning. Under Akershus fylkeskommunes registrering ble det påvist automatisk fredete kulturminner i form av kokegroper og kullflekker. Områder består av et jorde med omkringliggende løvskog, sørvest av Vakås stasjon iAsker kommune. Det ble avdekket et areal på 1266 kvm og påvist bosetnings- og aktivitetsspor i form av kokegroper, stolpehull og andre, mer usikre strukturer. Til sammen ble det innmålt 66 anleggsspor hvorav 10 ble avskrevet. De fleste kokegropene var samlet i et sentralt område innenfor lokaliteten og er tolket som et kokegropfelt. Det var imidlertid noen enkeltliggende kokegroper. De to stolpehullene som ble avdekket kan ikke settes i klar sammenheng med kokegropene. Dateringene viser at kokegropfeltet har vært i bruk i lang tid, fra steinalder til middelalder. To groper er datert til senmesolittisk tid, og tre andre til yngre bronsealder, overgangen romertid / folkevandringstid og middelalder. Et keramikkskår fra kokegrop S12 er sannsynligvis fra yngre jernalder, og dette stemmer med dateringen av gropa til overgangen romertid / folkevandringstid. Et gravfelt i nærheten, som er datert til bronse- eller jernalder, kan ha sammenheng med kokegropfeltet. Prosjektleder: Margrete F. Simonsen

Utgravning av moderne hageanlegg (steinlegning).

I forbindelse med planlagt utvidelse av eksisterende bolig på Lillehagen av Stanger 66/2, Hamar, ble det gjennomført en utgravning for å avklare hvor vidt den registrerte steinringen representerte et forhistorisk gravminne. Resultatet av utgravningen viser at steinringen var rester etter et modeme hageanlegg. Det ble ikke funnet automatisk fredete kultuminner. Prosjektleder: Inger Marie Berg-Hansen

The Geoarchaeology of the archaeological sites at Branrud I and IV, Grytting I, Gryttingvollen, Rolstad I, Fryasletta and Øybrekka. E6-prosjektet Gudbrandsdalen, delrapport 14. For Søristuen øvre, 17/1, Brandrud, 56/14, Grytting søndre, 47/1 og Rolstad øvre, 45/1 og Øibreken nordre, 330/14, 21, Sør- og Nord-Fron kommuner, Oppland fylke.

I forbindelse med realiseringen av ny E6 «Ringebu – Otta» er det gjennomført et toårig utgravningsprosjekt i 2011 og 2012. E6-prosjektet Gudbrandsdalen går over Sør-Fron, Nord-Fron og Sel kommuner, og består av syv reguleringsplaner. Gjeldende rapport omhandler de geoarkeologiske undersøkelsene på lokalitetene Fryasletta, Brandrud I & IV, Grytting I, Gryttingvollen, Rolstad I og Øybrekka i 2012. Rapporten er et supplement til delrapportene 1, 4, 5, 6 og 12. Formålet med undersøkelsene har vært å se nærmere på flomhistorikkens innvirkning på de bosetnings- og jordbrukshistoriske lokalitetene, og hvorvidt dette er en situasjon som har endret karakter, hyppighet og omfang over tid. De naturvitenskapelige metodene inkluderer blant annet pH, magnetisk mottagelighet og partikkelanalyse, samt in situ observasjoner av både geologiske og arkeologiske lag. Fire radiologiske dateringer fra prøveboring på Gryttingvollen er i tillegg utført ved Ångströmlaboratoriet ved Uppsala universitet. Prøvene ble vedartsanalysert ved Moesgård museum. Jordprøver er analysert for magnetisk mottagelighet av Petra Schneidhofer ved Vienna Institute for Archaeological Sciences. Partikkelanalyser er utført av Mufak Naoroz ved Institutt for geofag ved Universitetet i Oslo. Øvrige analyser er utført av Rebecca Cannell. Det henvises til delrapportene for ytterligere informasjon om bakgrunnen for prosjektet, beskrivelser av lokalitetene og øvrige naturvitenskapelige resultater. Prosjektleder: Ingar M.Gundersen

Archaeological lnvestigation of the Gokstad Mound 2011. Gokstad Revitalised. Gokstad nedre, 48/30, Sandefjord, Vestfold.

To investigate how the Kings Mound was constructed, and the condition of the mound today, coring was undertaken by the Gokstad Revitalised project in September and October 2011. Over 100 cores were taken over the mound extent, and surrounding area, which also provided samples for environmental and analytical purposes. The total area of the protected monument that was disturbed was approximately 0.019%. The cores revealed the mound was constructed by first removing the layers of turf and subsoil under the mound in all but a small area in the north. Blue clay silt was then removed from the centre to create a small depression and shållow trench, which had bundles of hazel branches placed in it. The ship was moved into place, probably from the south, and, using a dry raised area to the north, the ship was fitted with the burial chamber and grave goods. These were then covered with blue clay silt, up to the garboards, and hazel branches placed over this. The mound construction began, with the cutting of fresh turf, which was placed as an upright layer over the blue clay silt. More turfs were cut and collected, placed in even layers, some upright some upturned, over the mound. The layers are thickest in the centre, were up to 14 have been recorded. In the southern half of the mound, humic subsoil layers have been added between the turf layers. The mound is given its final height and shape by the addition of humic subsoil over the entirety. This stood undisturbed for a period, until a robber trench was dug into the eastern flank between 950 and 1000 A.D. This was left open, and naturally backfilled by slumping from the sides. The modem shape of Kings Mound is narrower than the original, as ploughing has eroded the sides. Excavation and reconstruction has removed approximately half the original mound, however the flanks of the mound are reasonably well preserved. Prosjektleder: Jan Bill