Soil chemical identification of ten thousand years of prehistoric human activity areas at the Munsungun Lake Thoroughfare,Maine |
| |
Authors: | Victor A Konrad Robson Bonnichsen Vickie Clay |
| |
Institution: | 1. Department of Anthropology and Canadian-American Center; University of Maine at Orono, Orono, Maine 04469, U.S.A.;2. Department of Anthropology and Quaternary Institute; University of Maine at Orono, Orono, Maine 04469, U.S.A.;3. Quaternary Institute, University of Maine at Orono, Orono, Maine 04469, U.S.A. |
| |
Abstract: | Soils on a Palaeo-Indian to historic sequence in one Maine locale are analysed for chemical enrichment. To guide excavation of four discrete sites up to 4000 m2, samples are collected in grid patterns and analysed for pH, Mg, P and Ca. Concentrations of Mg point to probable hearths to define some centres of human activity on each site. These correlate well with anomalies determined independently by magnetometric survey. Excavation of anomalies provides evidence of hearths, culturally diagnostic artifacts, but also features resulting from tree-throw and drainage variation. The P and Ca results develop definition and delimitation of activity areas thus refining directions for further excavation. Since P and Ca concentrations result from substantial or sustained human occupation, they show promise for preexcavation differentiation of habitation sites from limited and specialized activity sites such as lithic chipping stations. Soil chemical analysis provides both a synchronic and diachronic preview of site perimeters, size and activity areas. The consistent site definition at the Munsungun Lake thoroughfare is useful for explaining patterns as well as locating them. |
| |
Keywords: | Maine palaeo-Indian to historic sequence soil enrichment P Ca and Mg anomalies site definition activity area differentiation |
本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录! |
|