Overview

Geoarchaeology’s history Geoarchaeology: aims, scale and focus The landscape building blocks and the Toolkit of Geoarchaeology Soils, paleosols, anthrosols Slope and Aeolian processes Alluvial processes Open air sites Lakes and Coasts Glaciation processes Coastal archaeology Caves and rock-shelters Landscape engineering Characterising landscapes: sediments and soils ‘Remote-sensing’ sediments and soils Human impact on the landscape ‘Ground-truthing’ sediments and soils

Learning Outcomes

• Critical understanding of archaeological evidence within the broader matrix of the landscape.

• Demonstrate advanced skills of observation and critical reflection on academic topics related to the earth sciences

• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of common techniques for soil and sediment recording and analysis

• Provide critical understanding of how the study of soils and sediment studies contributes to archaeological problem solving both on-site and in the reconstruction of past environments.

• Understanding of geo-archaeological approaches to the study of site formation processes, and inferences about past depositional environments.