Abstract
Site formation processes at ancient tells in the southern Levant have been the focus of several micromorphological studies, contributing to the differentiation of anthropogenic remains from long-term natural sedimentation, occurring post-abandonment. This paper discusses how the study of sedimentary processes and chemical compositions of sediments can be used within the context of an ongoing archaeological project, and how they can contribute to archaeological, historical and geomorphological interpretations. Sedimentary processes were studied implementing POSL, granulometry and PXRF as part of the archaeological research at Tel Burna, Israel. Focusing on the area along the northwestern fortification walls (Area B2), data was collected from multiple strata inside and outside the casemate fortifications dating from the Late Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age. The gradual increase of OSL values obtained inside the casemate wall, indicate accumulation of sediment during a long period of time. Whereas similar values along the entire profile outside the casemate wall indicate sediment accumulation in one-time event. This might be related to defensive preparations, allegedly in response to advances made by Sennacherib's army in 701 BCE. In addition, results from the PXRF studies demonstrated correlation between human activities and the Cu, P, K, Zn, Mn values. Specifically, it was found that as K content increased from younger to older periods, it can be used as a pseudo-dating element. Ca content decreased as sampling descended from the tell's surface, suggesting its origin in long-term aeolian processes. The results show that the use of POSL and PXRF on archaeological contexts are useful for determining sedimentary processes. Furthermore, chemical content enabled pseudo-dating of strata and facilitated the distinction between natural and anthropogenic processes in archaeological sites and landscape.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 24-34 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Quaternary International |
| Volume | 618 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 30 Apr 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2020
Funding
Patterns supporting our interpretations were found in the analysis of modality in elements and PCA component histograms. Multimodality was recorded for Cu (also for Cu-connected comp. 1) in the stratum IA IIA/B fill. This multimodality was divided into two squares as C6 (bimodal) and D6 (unimodal). This geochemical diversification of the stratum IA IIA/B fill, an archaeologically uniform stratum, was present across Squares C6 and D6 and within Square C6. The same phenomenon was noted in the element P, P-connected to the comp. 5, LE, which reached bimodal distribution in Square B7 and stratum Early IA IIA, characterized by destruction debris and household organic matter. Phosphorus was bimodal in Square D6 (stratum IA IIB).M.J. was financially supported by Charles University Grant Agency, project no. 130318, entitled “Fragile stability – subsistence of field systems in medieval Bohemia”, implemented at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University. M.J. was supported also by the Charles University Project Progress Q07, Centre for the Study of the Middle Ages and was a visiting graduate student at Ariel University. This study was also funded by the Israel Science Foundation Grant Nos. 522/16 and 257/19 (I.S.) entitled “Hinterland economy and daily life in the Iron Age II along the Judahite Border “(522/16) and “Changes and Continuity in the Settlement and Material Culture of Iron Age Tel Burna as an Indicator of Social and Political Structuring and Centralization in Judah” (257/19). M.J. J.H. L.Š and M.H. were supported by project “Geochemical insight into non-destructive archaeological research” (LTC19016) of subprogram INTER-COST (LTC19) of program INTEREXCELLENCE by Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic. M.J. thanks Sheila Gyllenberg and her family, and Leah Tramer for their support during his internship at Ariel University. M.J. was financially supported by Charles University Grant Agency, project no. 130318, entitled “Fragile stability – subsistence of field systems in medieval Bohemia”, implemented at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University . M.J. was supported also by the Charles University Project Progress Q07, Centre for the Study of the Middle Ages and was a visiting graduate student at Ariel University . This study was also funded by the Israel Science Foundation Grant Nos. 522/16 and 257/19 (I.S.) entitled “Hinterland economy and daily life in the Iron Age II along the Judahite Border “(522/16) and “Changes and Continuity in the Settlement and Material Culture of Iron Age Tel Burna as an Indicator of Social and Political Structuring and Centralization in Judah” (257/19). M.J., J.H., L.Š and M.H. were supported by project “Geochemical insight into non-destructive archaeological research” (LTC19016) of subprogram INTER- COST (LTC19) of program INTEREXCELLENCE by Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the Czech Republic .
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| INTER-COST | |
| Univerzita Karlova v Praze | |
| Grantová Agentura, Univerzita Karlova | 130318 |
| European Cooperation in Science and Technology | LTC19 |
| Ministerstvo Školství, Mládeže a Tělovýchovy | |
| Israel Science Foundation | LTC19016, 257/19, 522/16 |
| Ariel University |
Keywords
- Anthropocene
- Bronze and iron ages
- Geoarchaeology
- Granulometry
- Portable OSL reader
- Portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry