Reconstructing site organization in the eastern Aleutian Islands,Alaska using multi-element chemical analysis of soils |
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Authors: | Nicole Misarti Bruce P. Finney Herbert Maschner |
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Affiliation: | 1. Center for Archaeology, Materials and Applied Spectroscopy, Idaho State University, 1651 Alvin Ricken Drive, Pocatello, ID 83201, USA;2. Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Gale Life Science Building #256, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA;3. Department of Geosciences, Idaho State University, Gale Life Science Building #256, Pocatello, ID 83209, USA;4. College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, 104 COAS Administrative Building, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;5. Department of Anthropology, Idaho State University, Stop 8005, Pocatello, ID, 83209, USA;6. Idaho Museum of Natural History, Idaho State University, Stop 8096, Pocatello, ID, 83209, USA |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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Keywords: | Soil analysis ICP-MS Anthropogenic signature Aleutian Islands Arctic |
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