An evaluation of micromorphology as an aid to archaeological interpretation

Abstract

Abstract The detailed description, analysis, and interpretation of field stratigraphy is fundamental to archaeological site interpretation. Investigation of morphology at the macro level can be supplemented by examination under the microscope of soil thin sections prepared from undisturbed samples. Until recently the main emphasis in micromorphological research associated with archaeology has been to assist with paleoenvironmental interpretation. This article reports experience gained from the routine investigation of soil thin sections collected from many archaeological sites throughout Scotland. Greater emphasis is now being given to the investigation of sediment type, anthropogenic features, and nature of disturbance during occupation and post‐depositional processes. Examples from known contexts such as hearths, byres, floors, and anthropogenic soils are given to illustrate the extent to which site formation processes can be elucidated from micromorphological characteristics. It is concluded that the accumulation of data from thin section description of known functional areas will ensure that micromorphology becomes a key research technique in geoarchaeology.