Quantification of slag heap volumes and masses through the use of induced polarization: application to the Castel-Minier site

When used for archaeological purposes, geophysical methods are often useful for the exploration, detection and mapping of archaeological remains. In the case of ancient metallurgical activities, slag accumulations form precious mineral records of these activities. Evaluating the volume of slag produced in such locations is an important issue, since it enables an estimate of the amount of metal produced in the smeltery. Unfortunately, slags themselves cannot be easily detected by DC electrical methods. Although they can be easily detected using magnetic techniques, these methods do not allow for an estimate of the quantity of slag, because magnetic fields do not conserve magnetic flux. In the present study we show that the Induced Polarization method (IP) is suited to the quantification of buried slags, provided the slag response has been suitably calibrated prior to the field measurements. The ability to quantify the quantity of slag is based on the quasi-linear relationship between the main IP parameter, i.e., the chargeability, and the slag concentration. This approach provides a new, non-invasive tool for the estimation of the volume of buried slag in palaeometallurgical sites.In this paper, an application of this technique for the site of Castel-Minier, Ariège, France, is presented.     

Reconstructing site organization in the eastern Aleutian Islands,Alaska using multi-element chemical analysis of soils

This study presents the results of multi-element analysis of weak-acid extractions of 953 soil samples collected by coring on and around pre-historic village sites on two islands, Sanak and Amaknak, in the eastern Aleutians. Concentrations of aluminum (Al), barium (Ba), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), strontium (Sr), titanium (Ti), and zinc (Zn) were determined using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Resultant elemental signatures allow the identification of site features and organization in the absence of large-scale excavation. All the archeological sites showed similar and distinct chemical signatures regardless of the several thousand year date range of the sites or the length of time a site was occupied. However, intensity of occupation does appear to affect concentrations of elements. Site features such as houses, house berms, house floors and middens had distinct anthropogenic signatures and could be distinguished from one another. This approach may be used to identify sites that do not have distinct surface features and to target areas for excavation.     

Against War! Regional Identity Across a National Border in Late Medieval and Early Modern Scandinavia

During every war between Denmark and Sweden from at least 1505 to 1676 popular peace treaties were concluded by common men on both sides of the national border. These treaties were negotiated in contrast to the aggressive policy of the political leaders and to the nationalistic discourse of the elite. The aim of this article is to use archaeology to give an economic, social, and mental background to these treaties, and to the regional identity across the border that they presuppose. Above all a specific building tradition seems to have given the peasants a mental affinity across the border.