摘要:

AbstractA computer simulation model has been developed to investigate the postdepositional changes on archaeological sites due to soil erosion in a semiarid (Mediterranean) environment. Both soil matrix and archaeological artifact movement are accounted for by the model. The model is applied to a series of hypothetical site configurations on hillslopes, using archaeological structures, to observe the morphological changes due to slope form. The results show considerable variation in site preservation potential, relating to different initial spatial patterning of the site and initial slope form. The model predicts thresholds for the start of movement by artifacts, and suggests a correlation between the location of deposition and the potential for disturbance of the artifact record. Implications are drawn from the results of the simulations, both in terms of archaeological theory and practice, and in terms of site conservation and management. The simulation method is recognized as a useful tool for the investigation of natural site formation processes. © 1994 John Wiley&Sons, Inc

ISSN:0883-6353    

DOI:10.1002/gea.3340090302

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Inc.    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractLate Preclassic Period platforms were surveyed and test‐excavated in a seasonal swamp orakalche, at the large ancient lowland Maya site of El Mirador in Peten, Guatemala. Pedological, hydrological, and archaeological evidence suggest that the climatic and hydrological regimes were drier than they are today to permit habitation and warrant the investment in labor. Nevertheless, observations of present conditions, including the clayey soils, indicate that the akalche was almost as inhospitable in antiquity as it is today, that it had the same extremely poor agricultural potentials and that intensive wetland cultivation would have necessitated sizeable investments in dams to dampen the extreme seasonal fluctuations in water levels. Dams are not observed, and evidence is elicited to indicate that they would be readily observable today had they been emplaced here in antiquity. We offer evidence suggesting that these platforms had domestic functions, but we are forced to conclude that intensive wetland cultivation did not sustain them nor this large regional center as a whole. We argue, instead, that these habitations constitute evidence for population pressures on urban upland resources, especially building sites and perhaps agricultural land. Akalche households appear to have sustained themselves, at least in part, by foraging for animal and plant foods, cordage products, building materials, and firewood. The data are inadequate to decide if these structures housed full or part time specialists, or if they were self‐sufficient in subsistence. © 1994 John Wiley&Sons,

ISSN:0883-6353    

DOI:10.1002/gea.3340090303

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Inc.    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractA simple nomogram, which facilitates rapid time/cost estimates for archaeological and archaeometry surveys, is presented and discussed. © 1994 John Wiley&Sons, Inc

ISSN:0883-6353    

DOI:10.1002/gea.3340090304

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Inc.    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThe use of petrographic thin sections to examine archaeological sediments has centered on the study of detrital and chemical components of the material. There has been relatively little effort made to study botanical remains—particularly charcoal—with this technique. This paper illustrates that millimeter‐size or even smaller fragments examined in undisturbed, artificially indurated samples, which normally would escape collection with standard flotation and sieving techniques, can furnish significant paleobotanical information about the types of vegetal matter found in a site. Samples from cave sediments in Israel and an open‐air site in Canada are presented. © 1994 John Wiley&S

ISSN:0883-6353    

DOI:10.1002/gea.3340090305

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Inc.    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0883-6353    

DOI:10.1002/gea.3340090306

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Inc.    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0883-6353    

DOI:10.1002/gea.3340090307

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Inc.    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0883-6353    

DOI:10.1002/gea.3340090308

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Inc.    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0883-6353    

DOI:10.1002/gea.3340090301

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Inc.    

年代:1994

数据来源: WILEY