This volume brings together contributions from an experienced group of archaeologists and geologists whose common objective is to present thorough and current reviews of the diverse ways in which methods from the earth sciences can contribute to archaeological research. Many areas of research are addressed here, including artifact analysis and sourcing, landscape reconstruction and site formation analysis, soil micromorphology and geophysical exploration of buried sites.

This book discusses the application of geological methods and theory to archaeology. Written as a survey text covering appropriate methods and techniques taken from geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and geochronology, it shows the student the practicality and importance of each technique's use in solving archaeological problems. Specific techniques are illustrated by practical results obtained from the authors' use on archaeological digs. With an international geographical scope, the book draws on sites from both hemispheres, including the Franchthi Cave in Greece, St. Catherines Island in the U.S., the Roman site of Drand in France, and Monte Verde, Chile. The authors also address applications in less traditional areas such as underwater, historical, industrial, and conservation archaeology.

This 2nd edition is a survey level review of key areas of archaeological geology/geoarchaeology. Principal subject areas include: historical principles; archaeologic and geomorphic surfaces and landforms types; sediments and sediment analytic methods; archaeological stoney materials - petrographic and mineralogic attributes; ceramic materials - mineralogic composition and analytic methods; geochemical methods useful in archaeological geology - studies of materials; commonly used geochronological methods for archaeological geology. Contributions to paleoecology, paleoclimate and ancient cultures as well as multivariate ICP and EDX data are now included.

Considering the history and theory of geoarchaeology, this book discusses soils and environmental interpretations; initial context and site formation; methods of discovery and spatial analyses; estimating time; and others. It is for all professionals and students interested in the field of geoarchaeology

The archaeological geology of the Quaternary or the geological epoch during which humankind evolved is a scientific endeavor with much to offer in the fields of archaeology and palaeoanthropology. Earth science techniques offer diverse ways of characterizing the elements of past landscapes and archaeological facies. This book is a survey of techniques used in archaeological geology for the study of soils, sediments, rocks and minerals. The techniques presented represent those most commonly used today. They are discussed in detail and examples are provided, in many cases, to demonstrate their usefulness to archaeologists.

This volume draws together topics and methodologies essential for the socio-cultural, mineralogical, and geochemical analysis of archaeological ceramic, one of the most complex and ubiquitous archaeomaterials in the archaeological record. It provides an invaluable resource for archaeologists, anthropologists, and archaeological materials scientists.

The focus of attention in ceramic research is increasingly turning away from duplicative amassing and reporting of material and towards synthetic work. This handbook sets out information which might be sought by ceramic analysis, and gives broad outlines of the different methods of analysis.

This volume presents a collection of articles which offer different perspectives for archaeological pottery studies, regarding the understanding of pre-Hispanic social practices in Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina. The aim of this volume is to contribute to Quebrada de Humahuaca archaeological knowledge and its inclusion in current discussions about Andean and worldwide history of pottery production. In 2003, Quebrada de Humahuaca was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Numerous tracks, roads and settlements testify to its pre-Hispanic and post pre-Hispanic history from pre-ceramic to colonial times. Due to its strategic position Quebrada de Humahuaca has been colonized by both the Inca and the Spaniards. It also has been a stage for many battles of the Argentine War of Independence. The richness and abundance of ceramic material evidence in the landscape of the Quebrada de Humahuaca has provided archaeologists information about human behaviour and social practices both in every and ritual activities. Quebrada de Humahuaca, in the province of Jujuy (the northernmost sector of Argentina) is one of the most widely recognized archaeological zones and one of the most widely studied. Through extensive excavations of the most conspicuous settlements, archaeologists managed to characterize these pre-Hispanic agricultural societies and construct chronologies of northwestern Argentina, and to elaborate models of trans-Andean population dynamics.