Anthropological Research Framing For Archaeological Geophysics

Recent archaeological scholarship along with technical and technological advances in near-surface geophysics has brought exciting new possibilities to a growing body of archaeological thought. Yet, few explicitly theoretical attempts have been made to provide archaeological geophysics with anthropological premises. Anthropological Research Framing for Archaeological Geophysics: Material Signatures of Past Human Behavior initiates a dialogue with other archaeological and geophysical professionals to do so. Most archaeological applications of geophysics remain methodological and technical, devoted to gaining awareness of buried anthropogenic materials but not human behavior. By proposing the amelioration of communication gaps between traditional and geophysical archaeologists, Jason Randall Thompson foments dialogue and participates in bringing about new ways of thinking anthropologically about archaeological geophysics.

10. Anthropologically Focused Geophysical Surveys and Public Archaeology: Engaging Present-Day Agents in Placemaking - Edward R. Henry, Philip B. Mink II, and W. Stephen McBride -- Part 4. Earthen Mound Construction and Composition -- 11. The Role of Geophysics in Evaluating Structural Variation in Middle Woodland Mounds in the Lower Illinois River Valley - Jason L. King, Duncan P. McKinnon, Jason T. Herrmann, Jane E. Buikstra, and Taylor H. Thornton -- 12. The Anthropological Potential of Ground-Penetrating Radar for Southeastern Earthen Mound Investigations: A Case Study from Letchworth Mounds, Tallahassee, Florida - Daniel P. Bigman and Daniel M. Seinfeld -- 13. Exploring the Deepest Reaches of Arkansas's Tallest Mounds with Electrical Resistivity Tomography - James Zimmer-Dauphinee -- Part 5. Commentary -- 14. A Decade of Geophysics and Remote Sensing in North American Archaeology: Practices, Advances, and Trends - Kenneth L. Kvamme -- References -- Contributors -- Index

10. Anthropologically Focused Geophysical Surveys and Public Archaeology: Engaging Present-Day Agents in Placemaking - Edward R. Henry, Philip B. Mink II, and W. Stephen McBride -- Part 4. Earthen Mound Construction and Composition -- 11. The Role of Geophysics in Evaluating Structural Variation in Middle Woodland Mounds in the Lower Illinois River Valley - Jason L. King, Duncan P. McKinnon, Jason T. Herrmann, Jane E. Buikstra, and Taylor H. Thornton -- 12. The Anthropological Potential of Ground-Penetrating Radar for Southeastern Earthen Mound Investigations: A Case Study from Letchworth Mounds, Tallahassee, Florida - Daniel P. Bigman and Daniel M. Seinfeld -- 13. Exploring the Deepest Reaches of Arkansas's Tallest Mounds with Electrical Resistivity Tomography - James Zimmer-Dauphinee -- Part 5. Commentary -- 14. A Decade of Geophysics and Remote Sensing in North American Archaeology: Practices, Advances, and Trends - Kenneth L. Kvamme -- References -- Contributors -- Index

Archaeological Geophysics for Ephemeral Human Occupations: Focusing on the Small-Scale combines technological advances in near-surface geophysics with recent archaeological scholarship and underlying archaeological premises to provide a practical manual for guiding archaeo-geophysical research design. By proposing the amelioration of communication gaps between traditional and geophysical archaeologists, this book will foment dialogue and participate in bringing about new ways of thinking anthropologically about archaeological geophysics, especially in relation to prehistoric open-air ephemeral sites. Offering a way to begin a dialogue between archaeology and geophysics, Archaeological Geophysics for Ephemeral Human Occupations is an important reference for practicing professionals, instructors, and students in geophysics and anthropology/archaeology, as well as geology. Serves as a practical manual for guiding archaeo-geophysical research design Bridges the communication gap between traditional and geophysical archaeologists to contribute to new ways of thinking anthropologically about archaeological geophysics Provides a focus on prehistoric open-air ephemeral sites, which are often underrepresented Offers an important reference for practicing professionals, instructors, and students in geophysics and anthropology/archaeology, as well as geology

The archaeological geology of the Quaternary or the geological epoch during which humankind evolved is a scientific endeavor with much to offer in the fields of archaeology and palaeoanthropology. Earth science techniques offer diverse ways of characterizing the elements of past landscapes and archaeological facies. This book is a survey of techniques used in archaeological geology for the study of soils, sediments, rocks and minerals. The techniques presented represent those most commonly used today. They are discussed in detail and examples are provided, in many cases, to demonstrate their usefulness to archaeologists.

This book presents the integrated use of magnetometry and ground-penetrating radar geophysical mapping to understand the human presence within buried archaeological landscapes. Ground-penetrating radar can be used to identify buried living surfaces, geological stratigraphy and the architectural remains of sites in three-dimensions. Magnetometry can produce images denoting differences on the composition of those materials, both anthropogenic and natural, but with more limited three-dimensional resolution. The integration of the two has a unique ability to resolve and interpret these buried materials, differentiated between the human-caused and natural layers, and place all buried features within historic landscapes. The final product of geophysical integration, along with some limited subsurface testing, produces a holistic analysis of human adaptations to, and modifications of, the ancient landscape. Examples are shown from sites in Roman Croatia and Britain, Medieval Ireland, Colonial Connecticut, and an Archaic site in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. These examples from very different environments, time periods and cultural groups illustrate how the integrated geophysical methodology can interpret, on a scale approaching many hectares, the ancient landscapes within which people lived.

This 2nd edition is a survey level review of key areas of archaeological geology/geoarchaeology. Principal subject areas include: historical principles; archaeologic and geomorphic surfaces and landforms types; sediments and sediment analytic methods; archaeological stoney materials - petrographic and mineralogic attributes; ceramic materials - mineralogic composition and analytic methods; geochemical methods useful in archaeological geology - studies of materials; commonly used geochronological methods for archaeological geology. Contributions to paleoecology, paleoclimate and ancient cultures as well as multivariate ICP and EDX data are now included.

The contents of this book show the implementation of new methodologies applied to archaeological sites. Chapters have been grouped in four sections: New Approaches About Archaeological Theory and Methodology; The Use of Geophysics on Archaeological Fieldwork; New Applied Techniques - Improving Material Culture and Experimentation; and Sharing Knowledge - Some Proposals Concerning Heritage and Education. Many different research projects, many different scientists and authors from different countries, many different historical times and periods, but only one objective: working together to increase our knowledge of ancient populations through archaeological work. The proposal of this book is to diffuse new methods and techniques developed by scientists to be used in archaeological works. That is the reason why we have thought that a publication on line is the best way of using new technology for sharing knowledge everywhere. Discovering, sharing knowledge, asking questions about our remote past and origins, are in the basis of humanity, and also are in the basis of archaeology as a science.