The identification of prehistoric anthropogenic soils in the northern isles using an integrated sampling methodology

Citation

Dockrill SJ & Simpson I (1994) The identification of prehistoric anthropogenic soils in the northern isles using an integrated sampling methodology. Archaeological Prospection, 1 (2), pp. 75-92. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/1099-0763(199412)1:2%3C75::AID-ARP6140010202%3E3.0.CO;2-S/abstract

Abstract
An integrated methodology has been developed using magnetic susceptibility, soil phosphate analysis and soil micromorphology to identify early arable soils in the Northern Isles. These techniques are used in the examination of a series of buried soils dating from the Neolithic to the early Iron Age from Tofts Ness, Sanday, Orkney and a Bronze Age context from South Nesting, Shetland. Magnetic susceptibility has enabled the identification of manure-enhanced soils, and detailed evidence for both cultivation and the nature of the enhancement is provided by the analysis of soil phosphate levesl and soil micromorphology. The identification and study of these soils has led to an insight on prehistoric infield manuring practices and a greater understanding of early land management strategies.

Keywords
magnetic susceptibility; soil phosphate; soil micromorphology; prehistoric; soil management; Northern Isles

Journal
Archaeological Prospection: Volume 1, Issue 2