Results obtained in the field by the use of phosphate spot test in Norway, and the cost and utility compared to other methods

The author have developed new equipment and methods for the use of the phosphate spot test which makes it possible for one person to collect and analyse 200-300 samples a day. A special field form for the registration of spot test results can easily be converted to a graphic presentation of the P-content in the sampling area. This means almost immediate feedback to the excavation staff, and also helps planning further phosphate-investigation. The new use of the spot test makes it ab. 10 times as quick as other methods, and spot test is ab. 15 times as cheap as a common laboratory analysis. Experience from SW-Norway have shown that the spot test is suitable for localisation, site limitation, and function analysis of sites from different archaeological periods.L'auteur a développé un nouvel équipement et des méthodes pour l'emploi du test de la tache de phosphate qui rend possible à une personne de recueillir et d'analyser de 200 à 300 échantillons par jour. Un formulaire de terrain spécial pour l'enregistrement des tests peut aisément être converti en une présentation graphique du contenu en P de la région échantillonnée. Ceci veut dire un feedback presque immédiat à l'équipe de fouilles, et aussi aide à planifier d'autres investigations par la méthode des phosphates. Le nouveau mode d'emploi du test le rend presque 10 fois plus rapide que d'autres méthodes, et le test par la tache est à peu près 15 fois moins cher qu'une analyse usuelle de laboratoire. L'expérience du SW de la Norvège a montré que le test est indiqué pour la localisation, la délimitation, et l'analyse fonctionnelle des sites de différentes périodes archéologiques.Bakkevig S. Results obtained in the field by the use of phosphate spot test in Norway, and the cost and utility compared to other methods. In: Revue d'Archéométrie, n°5, 1981. pp. 81-88

Sub-local differences in Late Holocene land use at Orstad, Jæren in SW-Norway, revealed by soil pollen stratigraphy

Made available with permission from Maney Publishing / Environmental Archaeology. www.maneypublishing.com/journals/env and www.ingentaconnect.com/content/maney/env.Four soil profiles along an 84 m transect through a clearance cairn field on podsol soils at Orstad, Jæren, SW Norway, were investigated. By relating pollen-analytical results to soil stratigraphical and morphological features, it was possible to reconstruct the landuse history of the site, and to reveal differences along the transect, although pollen preservation was poor. Human activity at Orstad began about 4500 uncalibrated 14C years BP. The reason for an intermediate abandonment of the site between about 4000 and 3600 uncalibrated 14C years BP was presumably a higher ground-water level, caused by local deforestation and/or by a climatic change. After that period, people seem to have grown cereals (Triticum and Hordeum) on at least two different field patches on the site. This land use was presumably occasional, and related to extraordinary needs. Fire-clearance seems to have been practised to prepare the fields for cultivation after long fallow periods. Between 2900 and 3200 uncalibrated 14C years BP, Orstad was possibly permanently inhabited. The agricultural fields were moved to higher levels, as the initial fields had become nutrient-depleted and too moist. Thin black layers in the profile may be remains of manure