The arable soils from Bronze Age settlement of Gwithian in Cornwall (UK) were analysed using micromorphology to recognise manuring practices over time. The analysis was conducted to determine whether the Gwithian farmers used fertilizers during Bronze Age? If they have used fertilizers, the aim of this research is also to identify which material were used. Moreover, it also aims to investigate if the sandy horizons at Gwithian (context 602 in layer 4) were stabilised by adding the midden material. Lastly, the research also describes if the context 606 was used for agricultural activity or was it a neglected area? The results of this study identify five phases of occupations where manures were used. The occurrence of rubified fine mineral, ash particles, decomposed wood, charred wood fragment with original tissue structure, shells and identifications of phytoliths from phase I and phase II of Early Bronze Age (c 1800 Cal BC) suggest that this material derived from manure heap, indicating accumulation of household waste dominated by fire residues. The occurrence of phytoliths indicates to herbivore dung component.The identifications of planar voids and the sandy grain aggregates surrounded by dusty clay coatings may indicate to practice of tillage and ploughing activities during these phases. The Early/Middle Bronze Age (phase III -context 606=6) is characterised by wind-blown sandy horizons and anthropogenic evidence were not identified from the field evidence [1]. Thin section analysis also did not show any traces of wood, burnt wood, and the pottery. However, soil aggregates surrounded by fine material may indicate that arable soils were raised by manuring practice. Moreover, few traces of yellowish porous material are also identified, which is interpreted as bone. The phase IV is ascribed to Middle Bronze Age (c 1500-1200 cal. BC). The results from this phase demonstrate that arable soils are characterised by blown sands, shells, ashes from hearth, and bones. The findings of bones, decomposed wood, charred wood, ashes from grasses and woods, rubified iron nodules, burnt carbonate, bones and evidence of animal dung demonstrate that farmers brought midden material to sandy horizons (602 =4) of this site. They used midden material not only to stabilise them, but also for increasing the fertility of soils. The Middle/Late Bronze Age (c 1300-900 cal. BC) is assigned to phase V of this site. The results of this analysis show that the midden material was continuously used as fertilizers during this phase. The noteworthy amount of burnt material (e.g. burnt wood, burnt carbonates, rubified iron nodule, few ashes) demonstrate that burning practice was common, and agricultural soils were raised by ashes. This study indicate that Bronze Age farmers have used fertilizers to increase the agricultural production.
