The Genesis of Quaternary Landscapes With Stone-Lines

Johnson, Donald L.; Balek, Cynthia L.

doi:10.1080/02723646.1991.10642440

Cited by 30 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Stratigraphy and archaeology, like geomorphology and pedology, have been short-changed by these omissions. A trend to redress the problem, however, is underway (e.g., Abiola, 2001;Cox, 1994Cox, , 1998Balek, 1995;Barker, 1977:121 -125;Barton, 1987;Butzer, 1982:113 -114;Hole, 1961;Humphreys and Mitchell, 1983;Johnson, 1989Johnson, , 1990Johnson, , 1993aJohnson, , 1993bJohnson, , 1999Johnson and Balek, 1991;Michie, 1990;Miklos, 1992Miklos, , 1999Ollier, 1959;Paton et al, 1995;Quinton, 2001;Rhoads and Stanley, 1965;Rolfsen, 1980;Schiffer, 1983;Thomas, 1994;Van Nest, 1997;Van Straaten, 1952Warme, 1967;Watson, 1961;Williams, 1968; and contributions in this special issue). The fact that so many different organisms are involved in producing many biochemical and biomechanical imprints brings an exciting biodynamic aspect to pedogeomorphogenic, stratigraphic, and superposition processes that our present paradigms do not easily accommodate.…”

Section: The Law Of Superpositionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Darwin would be proud: Bioturbation, dynamic denudation, and the power of theory in science

Johnson

2002

Geoarchaeology

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105

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While the development of a stratigraphic-archaeological record is usually given to specific geologic processes such as alluvial, colluvial, and eolian deposition, recent research strongly suggests that the formation of the archaeological record in these sandy areas [open-air upland soils] is attributed to a dynamic system of bioturbation and gravity (J.L. Michie, 1983: 23).Charles Darwin's worm book influenced many early researchers who, following his lead, demonstrated how soil biota mechanically generate new strata and soil horizons, as well as blur or destroy them. Such early observations on biomechanical processes failed to find visibility in our models of landscape evolution for several reasons, chief of which are (1) except for ichnology, an Earth sciences tradition of adopting frameworks where biomechanical processes are absent and (2) a lapse of over 100 years after Darwin before a genetic language backed by supporting theory appeared that could showcase the importance of such processes. Examples of influential Earth science frameworks in which biomechanical processes are absent are the V.V. Dokuchaev-USDA-H. Jenny soil formational (five factors) paradigm, W.M. Davis' geographical cycle, the W. Penck-L.C. King-R.V. Ruhe backwasting-pedimentation concept, the stratigraphic Law of Superposition, and other traditional approaches to archaeology, geomorphology, and pedology. Examples of recent genetic language that serve to ameliorate the problem are soil thickness concepts, biomantle, bioturbation, faunalturbation, floralturbation, and pedoturbation. Examples of recent supporting theory that incorporate biomechanical processes are soil evolution, biomantle evolution, dynamic pedogenesis, and the dynamic denudation framework advocated here. Dynamic denudation is a unified synthesis that elevates bioturbation to parity levels with other major archaeogenic, geomorphogenic, and pedogenic processes. The general framework and its principal elements are summarized and simulated by diagrams and augmented by photographs taken in disparate parts of the world. The model has useful explanatory and predictive value in archaeology, geomorphology, pedology, and other surficial process research. ᭧

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Section: The Law Of Superpositionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Darwin would be proud: Bioturbation, dynamic denudation, and the power of theory in science

Johnson

2002

Geoarchaeology

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105

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“…Identification of the "argilliturbation" process in Vertisols on the Channel Islands is part of what led Don to explore how this and other pedoturbation processes could affect not only soil development but also the integrity of archaeological site stratigraphy (Johnson 1989, 2002, Johnson and Watson-Stegner 1990, Johnson and Balek 1991, a research avenue he pursued the rest of his career. A review paper of Don's (Wood and Johnson 1978) identified a surprising variety of ways by which soil processes could disturb archaeological site stratigraphy and artifact contexts.…”

Section: ] Contributions Of DL Johnsonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of Repeated Wildfires Prior to Human Occupation on San Nicolas Island, California

Pigati

McGeehin

Skipp

et al. 2014

Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist

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“…As the process continues, the absolute elevation of the soil surface changes little, except perhaps to rise slightly from increases of soil pore space due to burrowing. Theoretically, then, a three-tiered soil profile results, consisting of a fine-grained upper layer, a coarse-grained subsurface concentration of stones and artifacts (the stone zone), and the relatively unaffected materials beneath the stone zone (Johnson, 1990(Johnson, , 1993a(Johnson, , 1993bJohnson and Watson-Stegner, 1990;Johnson and Balek, 1991;Balek, 1995).…”

Section: Formation Of Size-sorted Biomantlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The good earthworm: How natural processes preserve upland Archaic archaeological sites of western Illinois, U.S.A.

Nest

2002

Geoarchaeology

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In western Illinois, many soil profiles developed into upland loess deposits (Peoria Silt) contain Archaic period artifacts greater than 3500 yr B.P. in stone zones below plow level. For artifacts in prairie and prairie-forest transition soils (not forest soils), depth distribution curves suggest they were buried in biomantles by small soil fauna. Artifacts of sizes archaeologists routinely collect generally move down while retaining fine-scale horizontal integrity. The process results in stratigraphic separation of Archaic and Woodland period components that otherwise would commingle at the surface. The characteristic distribution of known upland sites, narrowly rimming stream valley headwaters, reflects incomplete burial of materials on steeper forested slopes. On adjacent gently sloping upper shoulder segments of valleys where grassy cover more strongly influences soil development (and by inference on broad level uplands where true prairie soils occur), Archaic artifacts will be buried in the biomantle and go undetected by surface surveyors. ᭧

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The Genesis of Quaternary Landscapes With Stone-Lines

Cited by 30 publications

References 19 publications

Darwin would be proud: Bioturbation, dynamic denudation, and the power of theory in science

Darwin would be proud: Bioturbation, dynamic denudation, and the power of theory in science

Evidence of Repeated Wildfires Prior to Human Occupation on San Nicolas Island, California

The good earthworm: How natural processes preserve upland Archaic archaeological sites of western Illinois, U.S.A.

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