ARCL2017 SedimentsGeoarch PDF

Institute of Archaeology
GEOARCHAEOLOGY:
SEDIMENTS AND SITE FORMATION PROCESSES
ARCL2017
Term I, 2016/7,
Room B13 – 10-12 hrs
Year 2/3 Option, 0.5 unit
Turnitin Class ID: 3228713
Turnitin Password IoA1617
Deadlines for coursework for this course:
Co-ordinator: Dr Manuel Arroyo-Kalin

E-mail: m.arroyo-kalin@ucl.ac.uk - Room 401, Tel 02076797523
ARCL 2017
Geoarchaeology: Sediments and Site Formation Processes
This course is an introduction to the study of the physical properties of landscapes as they
pertain to archaeological evidence. Students will review key principles of physical geography,
learn approaches to study site formation processes, examine different geoarchaeological case
studies, and gain initial laboratory experience in the use of techniques to characterise
sediments and soils in archaeological contexts.
Week I. 07 October 2016
Session 1. Introduction: Geoarchaeology’s history and goals
Session 2. Basic geoarchaeological concepts and methods
Week II. 14 October 2016
Session 3. The Toolkit of Geoarchaeology
Session 4. Soils and Post-Depositional Processes
Week III. 21 October 2016
Session 5. Slope processes
Session 6. Alluvial processes
Week IV. 28 October 2016
Session 7. Glaciation and the Loess record
Session 8. Coastal environments
Week V. 04 November 2016
Session 9. Arid and semi-arid environments
Session 10. The humid tropics
Reading Week: 7-11 Nov 2016
Week VI. 18 November 2016
Session 11. Occupations I: Caves and rock-shelters
Session 12. Occupations II: Open-air sites
Week VII. 25 November 2016
Session 13. Practical 1: Characterising sediments and soils
Session 14. Practical1: (continued)
Week VIII. 02 December 2016
Session 15. Practical 2: ‘Remote-sensing’ sediments and soils
Session 16. Practical 2: (continued)
Week IX. 09 December 2016
Session 17. Occupations III: Human impact on the landscape
Session 18. Occupations IV: Landscape engineering and anthropogenic soils
Week X. 16 December 2016
Session 19. Practical 3: ‘Ground-truthing’ sediments and soils
ASSIGNMENT #1: ESSAY DUE ON 16 December 2016

ASSIGNMENT #2: LAB REPORT DUE on 13 January 2017
ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 1

Geoarchaeology: Sediments and Site Formation Processes – 2016/7
ARCL 2017
Dr Manuel Arroyo-Kalin (course coordinator/lecturer)
Email: m.arroyo-kalin@ucl.ac.uk Office: 401
1. OVERVIEW
BASIC TEXTS: The field of geoarchaeology has a number of important texts, each emphasising
different aspects of the subdiscipline.
Butzer, K. W. (1982). Archaeology as Human Ecology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
French, C. A. I. (2003). Geoarchaeology in Action: Studies in Soil Micromorphology and Landscape

Evolution. London: Routledge
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006). Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell.
Holliday, V. T. (2004). Soils in Archaeological Research. New York, Oxford University Press.
Rapp, G., & Hill, C. L. (1998).Geoarchaeology: the earth-science approach to archaeological

interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Waters, M. R. (1992). Principles of Geoarchaeology: a North American perspective. Tucson:

University of Arizona Press
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT: This course is assessed by means of one essay (3,800-4,200 words) that
contributes 70% of the course grade, and one laboratory report (not exceeding 1,425-1,575 words)
that contributes 30% of the course grade1. The Essay assignment is to discuss the main research
problems, challenges, and methods pertaining to a particular depositional archaeological
environment (e.g. rockshelter, aeolian, alluvial, etc.) or type of site-formation (cave site, desert
campsite, tell site, shell midden, etc.). The paper should consist of an overview of the characteristics
of the sedimentary environment or site formation processes, and the critical appraisal of two or
more geoarchaeological case studies. The Laboratory Report will consist of sediment descriptions,
data from laboratory analyses, and a summary discussion of results. Other aspects of both
assignments, as well as possible approaches to them, will be discussed in class in advance of the
submission deadline. If students are unclear about the nature of either assignment, they should
discuss this with the Course Coordinator in timely fashion. Also, the Course Coordinator is willing
to discuss an outline of the student's approach to their essay assignment, provided this is planned
suitably in advance of the submission date. The deadline for the essay is 16 December 2016. The
deadline for the laboratory report is 13 January 2017.
Penalties will only be imposed if you exceed the upper figure in the range. There is no penalty for
using fewer words than the lower figure in the range: the lower figure is simply for your guidance to
indicate the sort of length that is expected.
In the 2016-17 session penalties for overlength work will be as follows:
1
Word counts exclude the title page, the table of contents, any lists of figures and tables, abstract, preface,
acknowledgements, bibliography, lists of references, captions, contents of tables and figures, and appendices.

• For work that exceeds the specified maximum length by less than 10% the mark will be
reduced by five percentage marks, but the penalised mark will not be reduced below the pass
mark, assuming the work merited a Pass.
• For work that exceeds the specified maximum length by 10% or more the mark will be
reduced by ten percentage marks, but the penalised mark will not be reduced below the pass
mark, assuming the work merited a Pass.
Coursework submission procedures

• All coursework must normally be submitted both as hard copy and electronically. (The only
exceptions are bulky portfolios and lab books which are normally submitted as hard copy
only.)
• You should staple the appropriate colour-coded IoA coversheet (available in the IoA library
and outside room 411a) to the front of each piece of work and submit it to the red box at the
Reception Desk (or room 411a in the case of Year 1 undergraduate work)
• All coursework should be uploaded to Turnitin by midnight on the day of the deadline. This
will date-stamp your work. It is essential to upload all parts of your work as this is sometimes
the version that will be marked.
• Instructions are given below.
Note that Turnitin uses the term ‘class’ for what we normally call a ‘course’.
1. Ensure that your essay or other item of coursework has been saved as a Word doc., docx. or
PDF document, and that you have the Class ID for the course (available from the course
handbook) and enrolment password (this is IoA1617 for all courses this session - note that
this is capital letter I, lower case letter o, upper case A, followed by the current academic
year)
2. Click on http://www.turnitinuk.com/en_gb/login
3. Click on ‘Create account’
4. Select your category as ‘Student’
5. Create an account using your UCL email address. Note that you will be asked to specify a
new password for your account - do not use your UCL password or the enrolment password,
but invent one of your own (Turnitin will permanently associate this with your account, so
you will not have to change it every 6 months, unlike your UCL password). In addition, you
will be asked for a “Class ID” and a “Class enrolment password” (see point 1 above).
6. Once you have created an account you can just log in at
http://www.turnitinuk.com/en_gb/login and enrol for your other classes without going
through the new user process again. Simply click on ‘Enrol in a class’. Make sure you have all
the relevant “class IDs” at hand.
7. Click on the course to which you wish to submit your work.
8. Click on the correct assignment (e.g. Essay 1).
9. Double-check that you are in the correct course and assignment and then click ‘Submit’
10. Attach document as a “Single file upload”
11. Enter your name (the examiner will not be able to see this)
12. Fill in the “Submission title” field with the right details: It is essential that the first word in
the title is your examination candidate number followed by the essay question (e.g. YGBR8
rockshelters, lab report, etc.),
13. Click “Upload”. When the upload is finished, you will be able to see a text-only version of
your submission.
2. 14 Click on “Submit”
If you have problems, please email the IoA Turnitin Advisers on ioa-turnitin@ucl.ac.uk, explaining
the nature of the problem and the exact course and assignment involved.

One of the Turnitin Advisers will normally respond within 24 hours, Monday-Friday during term.
Please be sure to email the Turnitin Advisers if technical problems prevent you from uploading work
in time to meet a submission deadline - even if you do not obtain an immediate response from one
of the Advisers they will be able to notify the relevant Course Coordinator that you had attempted
to submit the work before the deadline
TEACHING METHODS: The course is taught through lectures and laboratory practicals. Before
attending sessions, students should read the required readings for each session, especially relevant
chapters in the Goldberg and Macphail textbook (see bibliography). The reading list is current but
small modifications will most likely be introduced as the course proceeds. Laboratory sessions have
been incorporated into the scheduled sessions for the course.
WORKLOAD: There will be 14 hours of lectures and 6 hours of laboratory sessions for this course.
Students will be expected to undertake around 88 hours of reading for the course, plus 80 hours
preparing for and producing the assessed work. This adds up to a total workload of 188 hours for
the course.
PREREQUISITES: This course does not have a prerequisite. Due to its introductory nature, students
are not required to have a prior background in earth sciences or previous laboratory experience.
3. AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND ASSESSMENT

AIMS: This course is an introduction to Geoarchaeology. The aim of the course is to provide a basic
understanding of the role of earth sciences in answering archaeological questions.
OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES: On successful completion of this course a student should
understand how sediment studies contribute to archaeological problem-solving both on-site and in
the reconstruction of past environments. This will include a basic knowledge of common techniques
for sediment recording, grain size analyses, and sedimentological methods for determining past
depositional environments associated with archaeological sites, and principles of site formation
processes. The student will also be familiar with basic analyses of anthropogenic sediments and
soils. A student is expected to be able to demonstrate improved skills of observation and critical
reflection on academic topics.
a. SCHEDULE
TEACHING SCHEDULE:. Lectures will take place on Fridays in

Room from 10-12 hrs (excluding reading week). Laboratory sessions will take place at the
Sedimentology Lab, Room B50, as per the programme. Students will be organised in groups for
practicals.
4. SYLLABUS
Week I. 07 October 2016
Session 1. Introduction: Geoarchaeology’s history and goals

Some consider Geoarchaeology as one more archaeological specialism, others as a specific
approach to the entire archaeological record. In order to familiarise students with these positions,
the introductory lecture examines the historical relationship between the earth sciences and
archaeology. This relation is the foundation upon which Geoarchaeology has developed and, in

some ways, it is the platform that enables contributions from different earth sciences (geology,
geomorphology, physical geography, pedology, etc.) to make contributions to the field of
archaeology.
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell. Pp
1-6
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press. Ch. 1
Suggested readings:
Butzer K.W. (1980). Context in archaeology: An alternative perspective. Journal of Field Archaeology
7: 417-422.
Wilkinson, T. J. (2003). Archaeological Landscapes of the Near East. Tucson, Arizona: University of
Arizona Press. Ch. 1.
Additional reference works:

Daniel, G. (1967). The Origins and Growth of Archaeology. Chapter 3: Geology and the Antiquity of
Man, pp 46-78. Harmondsworth: Penguin.
Grayson, D. (1985). The establishment of human antiquity. New York: Academic Press.
Session 2. Basic geoarchaeological concepts and methods

In this session we will lay out the basic principles and key concepts upon which geoarchaeological
practice is based.We will examine the contrast between soils and sediments, review the main types
of sedimentary processes and soil forming dynamics, and outline how an understanding of them
enable us to decode sequential records of landscape evolution (stratigraphy).
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell,
Chs. 1-3
Butzer, K. W. (1982). Archaeology as Human Ecology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Chs.
3, 5
Butzer, K. W. (2008). Challenges for a cross-disciplinary geoarchaeology: The intersection between
environmental history and geomorphology. Geomorphology, 101, 402-411.
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press. Ch. 2
English Heritage. (2004). Geoarchaeology: Using earth sciences to understand the archaeological
record. Swindon: EH Publications.
Gladfelter, B. G. (1981). Developments and directions in Geoarchaeology. Advances in
Archaeological Method and Theory, 4, 343-364.
University of Arizona Press. Pp. 2-114
Suggested readings:
Evolution. London: Routledge. Ch. 1
Dincauze, D. (2000). Environmental archaeology : principles and practice. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press. Ch. 11, pp 257-290
Stein, J. K. (1993). Scale in archaeology, geosciences, and geoarchaeology. In J. K. Stein & A. R. Linse
(Eds.), Effects of scale on archaeological and geoscientific perspectives: Geological Society of
America.
Limbrey, S. (1975).Soil science and archaeology. New York: Academic Press.

Hassan F. (1978). Sediments in archaeology: methods and implications for palaeoenvironmental and
cultural analysis. Journal of Field Archaeology 5: 197-213
Week II. 14 October 2016
Session 3. The Toolkit of Geoarchaeology

What is the toolkit employed in geoarchaeological research? In this session we examine the most
important techniques currently used by geoarchaeologists.
Required readings:
Arizona Press. Ch. 3.
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell. Ch.
15-17
English Heritage. (2004). Geoarchaeology: Using earth sciences to understand the archaeological
record. Swindon: EH Publications.
Woods, W. I. (2003).Development of anthrosol research. In J. Lehmann, D. Kern, B. Glaser & W.
Woods (Eds.), Amazonian Dark Earths: Origins, Properties and Management (pp. 3-14).
Dordrecht: Kluwer Press.
O'Connor, T., & Evans, J. G. (1999).Environmental Archaeology: Principles and Methods (2nd ed.).
Stroud: Sutton Publishing. Ch. 10
Courty, M.-A., Macphail, R., & Goldberg, P. (1989).Soils and Micromorphology in Archaeology.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Ch 3.
Session 4. Soils and Post-Depositional Processes

In this session we examine in further detail the interface between environments and the landscape,
i.e. soils. Soil are dynamic and in constant evolution. Many of the processes that shape soil mantles
over time are of direct concern to archaeologists because they condition the burial environments of
archaeological evidence and can modify the original integrity of archaeological remains.
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell, Ch
3
Balek, C. L. (2002). Buried Artifacts in Stable Upland Sites and the Role of Bioturbation: A Review.
Geoarchaeology, 17(1), 41-51.
Butzer, K. W. (1982). Archaeology as Human Ecology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Ch 7
Cremeens, D. L. (2003). Geoarchaeology of Soils on Stable Geomorphic Surfaces: Mature Soil Model
for the Glaciated Northeast. In D. L. Cremeens& J. P. Hart (Eds.), Geoarchaeology of
Landscapes in the Glaciated Northeast. New York: University of the State of New York.
Evolution. London: Routledge. Ch 2
Holliday, V. T. (2004). Soils in Archaeological Research. New York, Oxford University Press, Ch 3
Johnson, D. L. (2002). Darwin Would Be Proud :Bioturbation , Dynamic Denudation , and the Power
of Theory in Science, Geoarchaeology17(1), 7-40.
Johnson, D. L., Domier, J. E. J., & Johnson, D. N. (2005). Reflections on the nature of soil and its
biomantle. Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 95(1), 11-31.
Phillips, J. D., &Lorz, C. (2008).Origins and implications of soil layering.Earth-Science Reviews, 89,
144-155.
Holliday, V. T. (2004). Soils in Archaeological Research. New York: Oxford University Press.
University of Arizona Press. Ch7

Duchaufour, P. (1982). Pedology: Pedogenesis and Classification. London: George Allen &Unwyn.
Holliday, V. T. (1989). Paleopedology in archaeology. In A. Bronger& K. W. G. Valentine (Eds.),
Paleopedology. Nature and Application of Paleosols (pp. 187-206). Cremlingen: Catena-
Verlag.
Schaetzl, R., & Anderson, S. (2005). Soils. Genesis and Geomorphology. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press. Ch.1 0
Limbrey, S. (1975).Soil science and archaeology. New York: Academic Press.
Stoops, G, V Marcelino, F Mees (2010) Interpretation of micromorphological features of soils and
regoliths. London: Elsevier
Birkeland, P. W. (1999). Soils and Geomorphology (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Week III. 21 October 2016
The nature of the archaeological record is strongly determined by the

characteristics and overall evolution of the physical setting where archaeological
remains become buried. In the sessions before study week we will examine the
main characteristics of different settings, highlighting their dominant
geomorphological processes and discussing how these impact the preservation
and integrity of archaeological remains .
Session 5. Slope processes

The lecture will introduce the main features and dynamics associated with slopes. Most
geoarchaeologists understand slope processes based on land surface unit models. A number of
topics need to be introduced to make sense of these: the dissection of landforms by streams,
surface flows, mass movement, colluviation, the soil catena. As will be seen, the dynamics described
by these topics bear significantly on our understandings of erosion, sedimentation/deposition, and
soil formation. Hence, they impact the preservation of archaeological remains and the formation of
the archaeological record.
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell.Ch.
4
Evolution. London: Routledge. Pp 20-25, 30-34, Ch 5
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press. Ch 3
Butzer, K. W. (1982). Archaeology as Human Ecology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Ch. 4,
53-54
Birkeland, P. W. (1999). Soils and Geomorphology (3rd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Pp.
184-185; 238-240
University of Arizona Press. Ch 5, pp. 230-232

Ruhe, R. V. (1975). Geomorphology. Geomorphic Processes and Surficial Geology. Boston: Houghton
Mifflin Company.
Schaetzl, R., & Anderson, S. (2005). Soils. Genesis and Geomorphology. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Session 6. Alluvial processes.

The lecture will introduce the main features of alluvial and lacustrian contexts and how they impact
the preservation of archaeological evidence. Processes of erosion, sedimentation and deposition,

and soil formation associated with alluvial environments will be examined in further detail. Human
settlements and site formation processes in alluvial environments will be discussed.
Required readings:
5
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press, pp 59-66
Holliday, V. T. (2004). Soils in Archaeological Research. New York, Oxford University Press, Ch 7
(relevant section on alluvial processes)
Huckleberry, G. (2001).Archaeological Sediments in Dryland Alluvial Environments. In J. K. Stein &
W. R. Farrand (Eds.), Sediments in Archaeological Context (pp. 67--92). Salt Lake City: The
University of Utah Press.
University of Arizona Press. Ch 5, pp 219-225.
Case studies:
Lathrap, D. W. (1968). Aboriginal occupation and changes in river channel on the central Ucayali,
Peru. American Anthropologist, 33(1), 62-79.
Larsen, C. E. (1985). Geoarchaeological Interpretation of Great Lakes Coastal Environments. In J. K.
Stein & W. R. Farrand (Eds.), Archaeological sediments in context (pp. 91-110).Orono: Center
for the Study of Early Man, Institute for Quaternary Studies, University of Maine at Orono.
Hassan, F. A. (1985). Fluvial Systems and Geoarchaeology in Arid Lands: With Examples from North
Africa, the Near East and the American Southwest. In J. K. Stein & W. R. Farrand (Eds.),
Archaeological sediments in context (pp. 53-68).Orono: Center for the Study of Early Man,
Institute for Quaternary Studies, University of Maine at Orono.
Feibel, C. S. (2001). Archaeological Sediments in Lake Margin Environments. In J. K. Stein & W. R.
Farrand (Eds.), Sediments in Archaeological Context (pp. 127-147). Salt Lake City: The
University of Utah Press.

Brown, A. G. (1997). Alluvial geoarchaeology: floodplain archaeology and environmental change..
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Reading, H. G. (Ed.). (2004). Sedimentary Environments: Processes, Facies and Stratigraphy. London:
Blackwell Science. Ch 3, 4.
Week IV. 28 October 2016
Session 7. Glaciation and the Loess record

Glaciers reset the landscape and many landforms in post-glacial landscapes originate in glacial
dynamics. Glacial and periglacial activity, moreover, are at the source of one of the most highly
active aeolian dynamics – the deposition of loess. In this lecture we will introduce the main features
associated with glacial and periglacial environments and examine how they impact the preservation
of archaeological evidence. Human settlements and site formation processes in glacial and
periglacial environments will be discussed.
Required readings:
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press, pp 71-74.
Benedict, J. B. (2005). Rethinking the fourth of July Valley site: A study in glacial and periglacial
geoarchaeology. Geoarchaeology, 20(8), 797-836. doi:10.1002/gea.20084

Texier, J. P., Bertran, P., Coutard, J. P., Francou, B., Gabert, P., Guadelli, J. L., et al. (1998). TRANSIT,
an experimental archaeological program in periglacial environment: Problem, methodology,
first results. Geoarchaeology, 13(5), 433-473.
Dodonov, A. E. (2007). Loess records: Central Asia. In S. A. Elias (Ed.), Encyclopaedia of Quaternary
Science (pp. 1418-1429). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Porter, S. C. (2007). Loess records: China. In S. A. Elias (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science (pp.
1429-1440). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Rousseau, D.-D., Derbyshire, E., Antoine, P., &Hatté, C. (2007). Loess records: Europe. In S. A. Elias
(Ed.), Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science (pp. 1440-1456). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Zárate, M. (2007). Loess records: South America. In S. A. Elias (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Quaternary
Science (pp. 1466-1479). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Case Studies
Schweger, C. (1985). Geoarchaeology of Northern Regions: Lessons from Cryotubation at Onion
Portage, Alaska. In J. K. Stein & W. R. Farrand (Eds.), Archaeological sediments in context (pp.
127-142).Orono: Center for the Study of Early Man, Institute for Quaternary Studies,
University of Maine at Orono.
Benedict, J. B. (2005). Rethinking the fourth of July Valley site: A study in glacial and periglacial
geoarchaeology.Geoarchaeology, 20(8), 797-836.

Blackwell Science. Ch 11
Schaetzl, R., & Anderson, S. (2005). Soils.Genesis and Geomorphology. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press. PP. 263-277
McCulloch, R. D., Bentley, M. J., Tipping, R. M., &Clapperton, C. M. (2005). Evidence for Late-Glacial
ice dammed lakes in the Central Strait of Magellan and Bahia Inútil, Southernmost South
America. Geografiska Annaler, Series A: Physical Geography 87A(2), 335-362.
Session 8. Coastal environments

The lecturewill introduce the main features of coastal contexts and examine how they impact the
preservation of archaeological evidence. Processes of sedimentation, erosion and deposition, with
special emphasis on the effects of sea-level change, will be examined in further detail. Human
settlements and site formation processes along shores of water bodies will be discussed.
Required readings:
Goldberg, P., & Macphail, R. (2006).Practical and Theoretical Geoarchaeology. Oxford: Blackwell,,Ch
7
Wells, L. E. (2001). Archaeological Sediments in Coastal Environments. In J. K. Stein & W. R. Farrand
(Eds.), Sediments in Archaeological Context (pp. 149-181). Salt Lake City: The University of
Utah Press.
Dickinson, W. R., Burley, D. B., & Shutler, R. (1994).Impact of Hydro-Isostatic Holocene Sea-Level
Change on the Geologic Context of Island Archaeological Sites, Northern Ha’apai Group,
Kingdom of Tonga. Geoarchaeology, 9(2), 85-111.
Bell M., and Neumann H. (1997). Prehistoric inter-tidal archaeology and environments in the Severn
Estuary, Wales.World Archaeology 29: 95-113.
Kraft, J. C. (1985). Marine Environments: Paleogeographic Reconstructions in the Littoral Region. In
J. K. Stein & W. R. Farrand (Eds.), Archaeological sediments in context (pp. 111-1127).Orono:
Center for the Study of Early Man, Institute for Quaternary Studies, University of Maine at
Orono.
Suggested readings:

Blackwell Science. Ch 6, 7
Dincauze D.F. (2000). Environmental Archaeology: Principles and Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press. Chapt.10, Landforms of shores and shallow water, pp 227-250.
Week V. 04 November 2016
Session 9. Arid and semi-arid environments
The lecture will introduce the main features associated with arid and semi-arid environments.
Include here are erosion due to restricted vegetation cover, aeolian processes and deflation. We will
examine how they impact the preservation of archaeological evidence.
Required readings:
6
Boardman, J., & Bell, M. (1992). Past and present soil erosion: linking archaeology and
geomorphology. In M. Bell & J. Boardman (Eds.), Past and present soil erosion: archaeological
and geographical perspectives (pp. 1-7). Oxford: Oxbow.
Butzer, K. W. (2003). The Nature of Mediterranean Europe: An Ecological History. Annals of the
Association of American Geographers, 93, 494–498.
Holliday, V. T. (2004). Soils in Archaeological Research. New York, Oxford University Press, Ch
7 (relevant section on Aeolian processes)
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press, Ch 3, pp 54-57
University of Arizona Press. Ch 4, pp 185-210
Case Studies:
Fanning, P. C., Holdaway, S. J., Rhodes, E. J., & Bryant, T. G. (2009). The surface archaeological
record in arid Australia: Geomorphic controls on preservation, exposure, and visibility.
Field, J., &bannin, E. B. (1998).Hillslope Processes and Archaeology in WadiZiqlab, Jordan.
Haynes, C. V. (2000). Geochronology and Climate Change of the Pleistocene–Holocene Transition in
the Darb el Arba’in Desert, Eastern Sahara. Geoarchaeology, 16(1), 117-141.

Blackwell Science. Ch 5
Session 10. The humid tropics

The lecture will introduce the main features associated with humid tropical environments. Included
here are some specific geomorphological features common to the humid tropical belt, the nature of
precipitation and weathering, and the characteristics of soil formation.
Required readings:
Mercader, J., Martí, R., Martínez, J. L., & Brooks, A. (2002).The nature of ‘stone-lines ’in the African
Quaternary record: archaeological resolution at the rainforest site of Mosumu, Equatorial
Guinea. Quaternary International, 89, 71-96.
McBrearty, S. (1990). Consider the Humble Termite: Termites as Agents of Post-depositional
Disturbance at African Archaeological Sites. Journal of Archaeological Science, 17, 111-143.

Pärssinen, M. H., Salo, J. S., &Räsänen, M. E. (1996).River floodplain relocations and the
abandonment of Aborigine settlements in the Upper Amazon Basin: A historical case study of
San Miguel de Cunibos at the Middle Ucayali River. Geoarchaeology, 11(4), 345-359.
Beach, T. (1999). Soil constraints on Northwest Yucatán, Mexico: Pedoarchaeology and Maya
subsistence at Chunchucmil. Geoarchaeology, 13(8), 759-761.
Barse, W. (2003).Human occupation in the Orinoco. In J. Mercader (Ed.), Under the Canopy: the
Archaeology of Tropical Rainforests (pp. 249-270). London: Rutgers University Press.
Reading Week: 7-11 Nov 2016
Week VI. 18 November 2016
Session 11. Occupations I: Caves and rock-shelters

The lecture will introduce the main features associated with the study of archaeological cave and
rock shelters. Processes of sedimentation, erosion and deposition, as well as chemical processes
affecting cave site sediments, will be examined in further detail. Human settlements, site formation
processes, and palaeoenvironmental implications of cave geoarchaeology will be discussed.
Required readings:
8
Goldberg, P., & Mandel, R. D. (2008).Caves and Rockshelters. In M. P. Editor-in-Chief: Deborah (Ed.),
Encyclopedia of Archaeology (pp. 966-974). New York: Academic Press.
Butzer K.W. (1982). Archaeology as Human Ecology: Method and Theory for a Contextual Approach
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. A Pleistocene prototype: cave sediments, pp 79-85
and An example of cave geo-archaeology: Cueva Morin, pp 85-87.
Waters M.R. (1992). Principles of Geoarchaeology. Tucson: University of Arizona. In Chapter 5,
Rockshelters and caves, pp 240-247.
Laville, H. (1976). Deposits in calreous rock shelters: analytical methods and climatic interpretation.
In D. A. Davidson & M. L. Shackley (Eds.), Geoarchaeology. Earth Science and the Past (pp.
137-157). London: Gerald Duckworth and Co.
Farrand, W. R. (2001). Archaeological Sediments in Rockshelters and Caves. In J. K. Stein & W. R.
Farrand (Eds.), Sediments in Archaeological Context (pp. 29-66). Salt Lake City: The University
of Utah Press.
interpretation. New Haven: Yale University Press, Ch 3
Suggested readings:
Araújo, A., Feathers, J., Arroyo-Kalin, M., &Tizuka, M. M. (2008).Lapa das Boleiras rockshelter:
stratigraphy and formation processes at a Paleoamerican site in Central Brazil. Journal of
Archaeological Science, 35(12), 3186-3202
Boschian, G. and Montagnari-Kokelj, E. (2000) Prehistoric shepherds and caves in the Trieste Karst
(Northeastern Italy).Geoarchaeology 15(4): 331-371.
Hunt, C., Davison, J., Inglis, R., Farr, L., Reynolds, T., Simpson, D., et al. (2010). Site formation
processes in caves: The Holocene sediments of the HauaFteah, Cyrenaica, Libya. [doi:
10.1016/j.jas.2010.01.021]. Journal of Archaeological Science, 37(7), 1600-1611.
Mercader, J., Martí, R., González, I. J., Sánchez, A., &García, P. (2003).Archaeological site formation
in rain forests: insights from the Ituri rock shelters, Congo. Journal of Archaeological Science,
30, 45-65.
Bar-Yosef O., Vandermeersch B., Arensburg B., Belfer-Cohen A., Goldberg P., Laville H., Meignen L.,
Rak Y., Speth J.D., Tchernov E., Tillier A.-M., and Weiner S. (1992). The Excavations in Kebara
Cave, Mt. Carmel.Current Anthropology 33: 497-550.

Session 12. Occupations II: Open-air sites
It is not just artefacts, structures and pits that make up the archaeology: the sediment matrix within
which these have formed is worthy of attention. This lecture examines the growing importance of
geoarchaeological research of occupation deposits
Required readings:
10, 11
Butzer, K. W., Miralles, I., &Mateu, J. F. (1983).Urban Geo-archaeology in Medieval Alzira (Prov.
Valencia, Spain).Journal of Archaeological Science, 10, 333-349.
Fernández, F. G., Terry, R. E., Inomata, T., & Eberl, M. (2002). An Ethnoarchaeological Study of
Chemical Residues in the Floors and Soils of Q’eqchi’ Maya Houses at Las Pozas, Guatemala.
Davidson, D. A. (1976). Processes of Tell Formation and Erosion. In D. A. Davidson & M. L. Shackley
(Eds.), Geoarchaeology. Earth Science and the Past (pp. 255-266). London: Gerald Duckworth
and Co.
Rosen, A. M. (1985). Cities of clay: the geoarchaeology of tells. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Shahack-Gross, R., Albert, R.-M., Gilboa, A., Nagar-Hilman, O., Sharon, I., & Weiner, S. (2005).
Geoarchaeology in an urban context: the uses of space in a Phoenician monumental building
at Tel Dor (Israel). Journal of Archaeological Science 32, 1417-1431.
Shahack-Gross, R., et al. (2003). "Geo-ethnoarchaeology of Pastoral Sites: The Identification of Livestock
Enclosures in Abandoned Maasai Settlements." Journal of Archaeological Science 30: 439-459.
Stein, J. K., Deo, J. N., & Phillips, L. S. (2003). Big sites - Short time: Accumulation rates in
archaeological sites. Journal of Archaeological Science, 30(3), 297-316.
Villagran, X. S., Balbo, A. L., Madella, M., Vila, A., & Estevez, J. (2011). Stratigraphic and spatial
variability in shell middens: microfacies identification at the ethnohistoric site Tunel VII (Tierra
del Fuego, Argentina). Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, 3(4), 357-378.
Week VII. 25 November 2016
Session 13. Practical 1: Characterising sediments and soils

In the first laboratory session we will review the basics of field and laboratory sediment
characterisation. The sessions will take place in the geoarchaeology laboratory. Be ready to use
what you have learned so far to interpret the depositional environments of samples.
Required readings:
15
NRCS Soil Survey Manual Ch 3:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=nrcs142p2_054253
Session 14. Practical1: (continued)

Continuation of the laboratory session.
Week VIII. 02 December 2016
Session 15. Practical 2: ‘Remote-sensing’ sediments and soils

Geoarchaeological analyses used to study of soil and sediment samples will be taught in the
geoarchaeology laboratory

Required readings:
15-17

Week IX. 09 December 2016
Session 17. Occupations III: Human impact on the landscape

Causality in landscape change is often associated with either external or autogenic forcing.
However, human societies have greatly impacted and transformed vast tracts of the earth’s
landscape. This lecture will focus on the geoarchaeological study of human impact on the landscape.
Required readings:
9
McKoy, M. D., & Hartshorn, A. S. (2007). Wind Erosion and Intensive Prehistoric Agriculture: A Case
Study from the Kalaupapa Field System, Moloka’i Island, Hawai’i. Geoarchaeology, 22(5), 511-
532.
French, C. A. I., Sulas, F., & Madella, M. (2009). New geoarchaeological investigations of the valley
systems in the Aksum area of northern Ethiopia. Catena, 78, 218-233.
Bell, M. (1992). The Prehistory of Soil Erosion. In M. Bell & J. Boardman (Eds.), Past and present soil
erosion: archaeological and geographical perspectives. Oxford: Oxbow.
Butzer, K. W. (1996). Ecology in the Long View: Settlement Histories, Agrosystemic Strategies, and
Ecological Performance. Journal of Field Archaeology, 23(2), 141-150
Butzer, K. W. (2005). Environmental history in the Mediterranean world: cross-disciplinary
investigation of cause-and-effect for degradation and soil erosion. Journal of Archaeological
Science, 32, 1773-1800.
Beach, T., Dunning, N., Luzzadder-Beach, S., Cook, D. E., &Lohse, J. (2006).Impacts of the ancient
Maya on soils and soil erosion in the central Maya Lowlands. Catena, 65(2), 166-178.
Arizona Press. Ch 4-6
Suggested readings:
Van Andel, T. H. (1998). Paleosols, red sediments, and the Old Stone Age in Greece.
Various Authors (2005) Geoarchaeology Special Issue: Landscape and Land Use—Geoarchaeological
Approaches to Human Impact, 20(2)
Session 18. Occupations IV: Landscape engineering and anthropogenic soils

The surface of the planet has been vastly remodelled as a result of human inhabitation. In this
session we examine geoarchaeological approaches to landscape engineering and the study of
anthropogenic soils.
Required readings:
Arroyo-Kalin, M., Neves, E. G., & Woods, W. I. (n.d.). Anthropogenic dark earths of the Central
Amazon region: remarks on their evolution and polygenetic composition. In W. I. Woods (Ed.),
Terra Preta Nova – a tribute to WimSombroek. Dordrecht: Kluwer.

Blume, H.-P., &Leinweber, P. (2004).Plaggen Soils: landscape history, properties, and classification.
Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 167(3), 319-327.
Davidson, D., & Simpson, I. (2005). The time dimension in landscape ecology: cultural soils and
spatial pattern in early landscapes. In J. A. Wiends& M. R. Moss (Eds.), Issues and Perspectives
in Landscape Ecology (pp. 152-158). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Macphail, R. I., Galinie, H., & Verhaeghe, F. (2003).A future for Dark Earth? Antiquity, 77(296), 349-
358.
McKey, D., Rostain, S., Iriarte, J., Glaser, B., Birk, J. J., Holst, I., et al. (2010).Pre-Columbian
agricultural landscapes, ecosystem engineers, and self-organized patchiness in Amazonia.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 107(17),
7823-7828.
Woods, W. I. (2003).Development of anthrosol research. In J. Lehmann, D. Kern, B. Glaser & W.
Woods (Eds.), Amazonian Dark Earths: Origins, Properties and Management (pp. 3-14).
Dordrecht: Kluwer Press.
Week X. 16 December 2016
Session 19. Practical 3: ‘Ground-truthing’ sediments and soils

The basics of micromorphological analyses will be taught in the geoarchaeology laboratory
Required readings:
Courty, M.-A., Macphail, R., & Goldberg, P. (1989).Soils and Micromorphology in Archaeology.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Bullock, P., Fedoroff, N., Jongerius, A., Stoops, G., &Tursina, T. (1986). Handbook for Soil Thin Section
Description (1st ed.). Wolverhampton, UK: Waine Research Publications.
16
5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
LIBRARIES AND OTHER RESOURCES:
Use UCL Explore to identify where readings are found. Most of them are located in either the
Archaeology or Science libraries. Students are asked to organise themselves in order to share in the
loan of books of which only few copies are available. Please contact the course coordinator if a
specific item cannot be found in UCL.
INFORMATION FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE AND INTERDEPARTMENTAL STUDENTS: Students enrolled

in Departments outside the Institute should obtain the Institute’s coursework guidelines from Tina
Paphitis (email t.paphitis@ucl.ac.uk), which will also be available on the IoA website.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: The Institute has a Health and Safety policy and code of practice which
provides guidance on laboratory work. This code of practice is revised annually and the new edition
can be consulted online. All work undertaken in the Institute is governed by these guidelines and
students have a duty to be aware of them and to adhere to them at all times. This is particularly
important in the context of the laboratory undertaken as part of this course.
INSTITUTE OF ARCHAELOGY COURSEWORK PROCEDURES

General policies and procedures concerning courses and coursework, including submission
procedures, assessment criteria, and general resources, are available on the IoA website. It is
essential that you read and comply with these. Note that some of the policies and procedures will

be different depending on your status (e.g. undergraduate, postgraduate taught, affiliate,
graduate diploma, intercollegiate, interdepartmental). If in doubt, please consult your course co-
ordinator.
GRANTING OF EXTENSIONS: Note that there are strict UCL-wide regulations with regard to the
granting of extensions for coursework. Note that Course Coordinators are not permitted to
grant extensions. All requests for extensions must be submitted on a the appropriate UCL form,
together with supporting documentation, via Judy Medrington’s office and will then be referred
on for consideration. Please be aware that the grounds that are acceptable are limited. Those
with long-term difficulties should contact UCL Student Disability Services to make special
arrangements. Please see the IoA website for further information. Additional information is
given here
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/srs/academic-manual/c4/extenuating-circumstances/
Revised: 29 September 2016/MA-K

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Institute of Archaeology

Co-ordinator: Dr Manuel Arroyo-Kalin

ASSIGNMENT #1: ESSAY DUE ON 16 December 2016

ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 1

Butzer, K. W. (1982). Archaeology as Human Ecology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

French, C. A. I. (2003). Geoarchaeology in Action: Studies in Soil Micromorphology and Landscape

Rapp, G., & Hill, C. L. (1998).Geoarchaeology: the earth-science approach to archaeological

Waters, M. R. (1992). Principles of Geoarchaeology: a North American perspective. Tucson:

In the 2016-17 session penalties for overlength work will be as follows:

ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 2

Coursework submission procedures

ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 3

3. AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND ASSESSMENT

TEACHING SCHEDULE:. Lectures will take place on Fridays in

Week I. 07 October 2016

Session 1. Introduction: Geoarchaeology’s history and goals

ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 4

Additional reference works:

Session 2. Basic geoarchaeological concepts and methods

ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 5

Week II. 14 October 2016

Session 3. The Toolkit of Geoarchaeology

Session 4. Soils and Post-Depositional Processes

Additional reference works:

ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 6

Week III. 21 October 2016

The nature of the archaeological record is strongly determined by the

Session 5. Slope processes

Additional reference works:

Session 6. Alluvial processes.

ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 7

Additional reference works:

Week IV. 28 October 2016

Session 7. Glaciation and the Loess record

ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 8

Additional reference works:

Session 8. Coastal environments

ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 9

Week V. 04 November 2016

Session 9. Arid and semi-arid environments

Additional reference works:

Session 10. The humid tropics

ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 10

Reading Week: 7-11 Nov 2016

Week VI. 18 November 2016

Session 11. Occupations I: Caves and rock-shelters

ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 11

Week VII. 25 November 2016

Session 13. Practical 1: Characterising sediments and soils

Session 14. Practical1: (continued)

Week VIII. 02 December 2016

Session 15. Practical 2: ‘Remote-sensing’ sediments and soils

ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 12

Session 16. Practical 2: (continued)

Week IX. 09 December 2016

Session 17. Occupations III: Human impact on the landscape

Session 18. Occupations IV: Landscape engineering and anthropogenic soils

ARCL 2017 - Revised: 13 Oct 2016/MA-K 13