In search of sealed Palaeolithic and Mesolithic sites using core sampling: the impact of grid size, meshes and auger diameter on discovery probability

Crombé, Philippe; Verhegge, Jeroen

doi:10.1016/j.jas.2014.11.007

Cited by 16 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Schuldenrein, 1991) Dutch augers in a 10 m staggered grid (Crombé and Verhegge, 2014). Samples are sieved wet on a 1-2 mm mesh (Crombé and Verhegge, 2014) and the dried residue is checked for reliable archaeological indicators such as flint artefacts (mainly chips), ceramic fragments, (un)charred plant remains or (un)burnt bone fragments. If necessary, the grid size is reduced in between or surrounding positive samples Groenewoudt, 1994;Verhagen et al, 2013).…”

Section: Archaeological Prospection Methodology For Prehistoric Landsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on the geophysical (see Results section), geotechnical (see Results section and Missiaen et al, 2015) and coring paleolandscape (Klinck et al, 2007) data, several topographically pronounced landscape positions could be estimated as suitable for human occupation. Amongst these, the main feature was a well preserved small dune with steep slopes which was selected for archaeological evaluation through core sampling (Crombé and Verhegge, 2014).…”

Section: Archaeological Coringmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Exploring Integrated Geophysics and Geotechnics as a Paleolandscape Reconstruction Tool: Archaeological Prospection of (Prehistoric) Sites Buried Deeply below the Scheldt Polders (NW Belgium)

Verhegge

Missiaen

Crombé

2016

Archaeological Prospection

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During extensive construction works in Antwerp harbour, well preserved Late Glacial dune formations were discovered buried deeply below the Scheldt polders and covered by peat, organic matter (OM) rich clays and marine clayey to sandy sediments. First, coring based archaeological prospection strategies for evaluating prehistoric occupation levels in wetland landscapes are reviewed. Next, a more effective approach including near surface geophysical and geotechnical techniques is proposed and tested in Doelpolder Noord. The results indicate that high resolution electromagnetic induction survey at multiple coil spacing provides a suitable approximation of the prehistoric landscape variability but is challenged by variations in groundwater brackishness. Gridded cone penetration tests provide a solution in such cases and serve as an excellent interpretation tool for the conductivity data in general. Due to the required effort, electrical resistance imaging and shear wave land seismics were judged inefficient. Finally, a small dune with indications of paleosol conservation and estimated suitability for Final Palaeolithic to Early Neolithic occupation is sampled by Dutch hand augering and Sonic Drill Aqualock coring. Archaeological indicators for prehistoric occupation such as burnt bone and flint fragments were retrieved from these samples after sieving.

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Section: Archaeological Prospection Methodology For Prehistoric Landsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Archaeological Coringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Integrated Geophysics and Geotechnics as a Paleolandscape Reconstruction Tool: Archaeological Prospection of (Prehistoric) Sites Buried Deeply below the Scheldt Polders (NW Belgium)

Verhegge

Missiaen

Crombé

2016

Archaeological Prospection

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“…In some cases, for example, they indicate that transect intervals should be tightened in high-probability areas (Anfinson 2005 ; Council of South Carolina Professional Archaeologists 2009 ). Standards in some jurisdictions, most notably in Europe, show recognition that geomorphological and other factors can make pedestrian survey, or even shovel testing, inadequate for site discovery and require a range of other techniques, such as coring or augering (e.g., Crombé and Verhegge 2015 ; Willems and Brandt 2004 : 45).…”

Section: Current and Recent Practices In Archaeological Survey Qualitmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Without answers to these questions, we have no rational basis for comparing the results of different surveys or even for confidence in reports’ recommendations about development or site protection, no matter what survey methods were employed. It is possible that an area “cleared” for development might include a significant archaeological site that, for example, would qualify as significant under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) in the United States or similar legislation elsewhere (e.g., Crombé and Verhegge 2015 : 457).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quality Assurance in Archaeological Survey

Banning

Hawkins

Stewart

et al. 2016

J Archaeol Method Theory

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To have confidence in the results of an archaeological survey, whether for heritage management or research objectives, we must have some assurance that the survey was carried out to a reasonably high standard. This paper discusses the use of Quality Assurance (QA) approaches and empirical methods for estimating surveys’ effectiveness at discovering archaeological artifacts as a means for ensuring quality standards. We illustrate with the example of two surveys in Cyprus and Jordan in which resurvey, measurement of surveyor “sweep widths,” and realistic estimates of survey coverage allow us to evaluate explicitly the probability that the survey missed pottery or lithics, as well as to decide when survey has been thorough enough to warrant moving to another survey unit.

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“…Geoarchaeological mapping of wetlands usually involves two main phases (Groenewoudt, 1994;Tol et al, 2004;Bats and Cromb e, 2007;De Clercq et al, 2011;Cromb e and Verhegge, 2015). A first, crucial phase concerns the detailed mapping of the sealed palaeoenvironment, especially the palaeotopography, and its evolution (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential of cone penetrating testing for mapping deeply buried palaeolandscapes in the context of archaeological surveys in polder areas

Missiaen

Verhegge

Heirman

et al. 2015

Journal of Archaeological Science

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Geoarchaeological mapping of wetlands conventionally involves extensive coring. Especially in wetlands marked by a deep palaeosurface (>3 m deep) this can be very difficult and time-consuming. In this paper we therefore present an alternative approach based on Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) for structured, rapid and cost-effective evaluation of buried palaeolandscapes. Both estuarine and river floodplain environments were investigated, including the watereland transition zone (marsh). The efficiency, reliability and repeatability of the CPT method was tested through the comparison with ground-truth core data. The CPT data generally allowed highly accurate mapping of the palaeotopography of the prehistoric surfaces and the overlying peat sequences. Thin organic-rich clay intercalations within the peat layers could often still be identified. Additional pore pressure, conductivity and seismic velocity data (from CPTU, CPT-C and S-CPT) did not add much crucial information and their main use seems to lie in the added value for near surface geophysical measurements. The results of this research clearly illustrate the importance of CPT information for mapping of palaeolandscapes in archaeology

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In search of sealed Palaeolithic and Mesolithic sites using core sampling: the impact of grid size, meshes and auger diameter on discovery probability

Cited by 16 publications

References 7 publications

Exploring Integrated Geophysics and Geotechnics as a Paleolandscape Reconstruction Tool: Archaeological Prospection of (Prehistoric) Sites Buried Deeply below the Scheldt Polders (NW Belgium)

Exploring Integrated Geophysics and Geotechnics as a Paleolandscape Reconstruction Tool: Archaeological Prospection of (Prehistoric) Sites Buried Deeply below the Scheldt Polders (NW Belgium)

Quality Assurance in Archaeological Survey

Potential of cone penetrating testing for mapping deeply buried palaeolandscapes in the context of archaeological surveys in polder areas

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