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Soil pH as a Tool in Archaeological Site Interpretation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

James Deetz
Affiliation:
University of California, Santa Barbara University, California
Edwin Dethlefsen
Affiliation:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Abstract

Midden profiles encountered in archaeological excavation frequently appear homogeneous despite their known stratigraphic complexity. As an aid to definition of significant zones of deposition, soil pH profiles can be constructed to supplement visual recordings. Such a profile was constructed and shown to be of considerable value in site interpretation. Soil pH zones agreed with known artifact distributions and visual features. The method employed is simple, adaptable to field use, and of sufficient accuracy to provide useful results.

Type
Facts and Comments
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1963

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References

Jackson, M. L. 1958 Soil Chemical Analysis. Prentice Hall, New York Google Scholar