THE GEOLOGICAL FIELD APPROACH TO THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE YARD

Abstract

The main duties of the geologist’s contribution to the field work in the archaeological excavation sites are briefly recalled. The need for a preliminary conceptual and pragmatic approach for a correct understanding of the local context of each field campaign is stressed. Furthermore, as an example of the importance of the stratigraphic understanding in “delayed” field-microenvironment, a microstratigraphic sequence is proposed concerning the sedimentation that can occur in some ancient grave-coffin in an open alluvial environment and the problems related to the processes involved in such a restricted environment. Finally some peculiar, unusual study-settings are shown that may bring about mistakes or misunderstanding of the stratigraphic themes and therefore can be of interest for both the soil scientists and archaeologists as well as for geologists.

Keywords

• field geology
• geoarchaeology
• geomorphology
• sedimentology
• pedology
• postdepositional process
• micro-stratigraphy