ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS

Environmental archaeology encompasses a wide range of scientific techniques that can be used to analyse ancient human environments. Such studies are essential to improve our understanding of prehistoric and historic societies and the local and regional landscapes in which they existed. Environmental studies are recognised as a major discipline within modern archaeology and form an integral part of all excavation strategies.

Processing, identification and assessment

Archaeological Services WYAS provides an assessment service, designed to determine the potential of archaeological soil samples for further detailed analyses. Archaeological Services WYAS can arrange collection directly from the excavation site or samples can be delivered independently to our in-house processing facilities. All samples are wet sieved, dried, then sorted under the microscope in our laboratory, and any major ecofacts separated and identified. Assessments check for and evaluate: Charred, mineralised and waterlogged plant macrofossils, which can indicate: local vegetation plant husbandry exploitation of wild and domestic plants Terrestrial, freshwater and marine molluscs, which can specify: local environmental conditions land-use changes food resources Microfauna, which can aid in the reconstruction of: local environmental conditions hygiene and health-related issues

The results of all analyses are presented and recommendations for further specialist analysis are included, where applicable. All samples are retained, until dispatch or disposal, in environmentally stable conditions and all the resulting data, including the collected material, are returned for accession to the archive.

Given that inadequate sampling and/or contamination of environmental samples can lead to misleading or invalid results, Archaeological Services WYAS offers a consultancy service to advise on sampling methods and on-site recovery strategies. This consultancy may involve site visits and the formulation of method statements for submission to other parties as part of a scheme of investigation.

For further information contact Dr Jane Richardson