Using soil survey data as a predictive tool for locating deeply buried archaeological deposits in stream valleys of the Midwest, United States

Abstract

In stream valleys of the US Midwest, most of the existing record of prehistoric cultures is deeply buried. Therefore, there is a need for understanding the age and distribution of different landform sediment assemblages (LSAs) in these settings to adequately evaluate the landscape for buried archaeological materials. In this study, we show the applicability of US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service soil survey data to (a) provide information on the spatial distribution and characteristics of different LSAs and (b) determine the associated geologic potential for buried cultural deposits. We considered four factors in our assessment, including the age of sedimentary deposits, soil stratigraphy, depositional environment, and drainage conditions. These data were used to develop a GIS‐based predictive model that was verified with data from a large volume of geoarchaeological research conducted throughout the region. The spatial scale of soil survey data, the uncertain nature of soil mapping, and the ability to detect the presence or absence of buried soils were found to be important limitations. Nevertheless, our results show that soil survey data can be useful as each of the four factors is considered to discriminate particular LSAs and appropriately evaluate buried‐site potential. Our approach can be broadly applied to fluvial systems where cultural deposits are deeply buried, particularly in other countries where soil survey databases exist.

Palaeosols and their cover sediments of a glacial landscape in northern central Europe: Spatial distribution, pedostratigraphy and evidence on landscape evolution

“…So far, however, studies on palaeosols normally rely on a small number of profiles (several tens in maximum) only. Soil and geologic surveys usually do not map the areas, depths and types of buried soil horizons (Costantini et al, 2007;Layzell and Mandel, 2019). Existing palaeosol maps are restricted to very local archaeological and palaeoecological sites (e.g.…”

Assessing natural versus anthropogenic horizons through deposit modelling strategies at the Medieval Site of Santa Margarida (Martorell, Barcelona, Spain)

“…The interpretation of the data obtained has also been benefited from the determination of landform sediment assemblages (Layzell & Mandel, 2019). These are underlying genetically related packages of sediment and associated soils with predictable age relationships.…”

“…498–499; Kokinou, 2015, pp. 210–211; Layzell & Mandel, 2019) demonstrates how a combined approach using geophysical techniques in conjunction with a borehole sampling can provide a cost‐effective methodology for modelling subsurface stratigraphy (Bates & Bates, 2000, p. 845).…”

Sedimentary Landscape of Mun Valley Prehistoric Site: Construction History of Moated Site of Ban Non Wat, Northeast Thailand

“…The grain size of the sediments provides a sensitive indicator of the sedimentary environment. Grain-size parameters have been employed to characterize and recognize various depositional processes and environments [3,4]. The major features of the alluvial environment are channels and flood-basins.…”

“…The size of the component particles is one of the fundamental textural characteristics of all fragmentary deposits and their lithified equivalents. Grain size depends on the character of the source rocks, weathering processes, abrasion, and selective sorting during transportation [4][5][6][7][8].…”