Case Studies in Environmental Archaeology

Preface.- Acknowledgments.- List of Figures.- List of Tables.- 1 Introduction to Environmental Archaeology.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 What is Environmental .- Archaeology?.- Humanity, History, or Science?.- The Scientific Method and Why it .- Matters.- Method or Theory?.- Artifact or Ecofact?.- Summary.- 1.3 History and Theory in Environmental Archaeology.- History.- Theory.- 1.4 Ecological Concepts.- 1.5 The Disciplines of Environmental Archaeology.- 1.6 The Goals of Environmental Archaeology.- Environmental History: Climate, Landscapes, and Biogeography.- Human/environmental Relationships.- The Evolution of Human Social Institutions.- Improvements in Methodology.- 1.7 Goals of this Book.- 2 Factors Affecting the Composition of an Assemblage (New Chapter).- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Taphonomy.- 2.3 Archaeological Transformational Processes.- 2.4 Cultural Transformations.- Types of Sites.- Cultural Transformations.- Summary.- 2.5 Systemic Context Transformations.- Abiotic Transformations.-Soil Chemistry.- Climate.- Mechanical Damage (alluvial, coastal, fluvial, aeolian).- Aerobic Environments.- Biotic Transformations.- Summary.- 2.6 Ethnoarchaeology and Experimental Archaeology.- 2.7 Summary.- 3 Research Designs and Field Methods (New Chapter).- 3.1 Introduction.- The Role of the Environmental Archaeologist in Field Work.- 3.2 Research Designs.- 3.3 The Importance of Context.- What is a site?.- On-site and off-site testing.- Features and Zones.- Column Samples.- Continguous/Block Excavations.- Random, Stratified Units.- 3.4 Recovery Techniques.- In situ Recovery.- Point Samples.- Screening.- Flotation.- 3.5 Field Sampling.- 3.6 Special Finds.- Burials.- Coprolites and Dung Residue.- Hearths.- 3.7 Record-keeping.- 3.8 Anticipating Radiocarbon Dating and Other Studies.- 3.9 The Ethics of Archaeology.- Cultural Patrimony.- Curating Samples.- 3.10 Summary.- 4 Classification and Nomenclature (New Chapter).- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Folk Taxonomy.- 4.3 Linnaean Taxonomy.- 4.4 The Importance of Comparative Collections.- 4.5 Summary.- 5 Sediments and Soils (Update).- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Taxonomy and Morphology of Soils and Sediments.- 5.3 Field Considerations.- 5.4 Laboratory Procedures for Sediments.- 5.5 Laboratory Procedures for Soils.- 5.6 Applications and Case Studies.- Petrofabric Analysis.- Grain Surface Textures.- Micromorphology.- Environments of Deposition.- Sediment Accumulation and Distribution: Rates and Problems.- Barrow Construction and Soil Interpretation.- Soils as Landscape Remnants.- Phosphate and Manganese in Archaeological Soils.- 5.7 Summary.- 6 Seeds, Fruits, Nuts, and Tubers (Update).- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Taxonomy and Morphology.- 6.3 Field Considerations.- 6.4 Laboratory Procedures.- 6.5 Evidence for Domestication.- 6.6 Applications and Case Studies.- Carbonized Material at Ur.- Seeds and Fruit from Burials.- Coprolites as Evidence of Diet.- The Problem of Mummy Wheat.- The Origins of British Brewing.- The Interpretation of Crops.- Impressions.- 6.7 Summary.- 7 Wood and Charcoal (Update).- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Taxonomy and Morphology.- 7.3 Field Considerations.- 7.4 Laboratory Procedures.- 7.5 Dendrochronology and Radiocarbon Dating.- 7.6 Applications and Case Studies.- Charcoal as Paleoenvironmental Evidence.- Charcoal and Plaster Impressions from Myrtos.- Wood Remains from York.- Trackways in the Somerset Levels.- The Organization of Roman Military Timber Supply.- 7.7 Summary.- 8 Pollen (Update).- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Taxonomy and Morphology.- 8.3 Field Considerations.- 8.4 Laboratory Procedures.- 8.5 Pollen in Special Contexts.- Mineral Soils.- Coprolites.- Stomach Contents.- 8.6 Applications and Case Studies.- Fodder.- Landscape Change.- Climate Change.- Caves and Coprolites.- The Elm Decline.- 8.7 Summary.- 9 Phytoliths, Starch Grains, and Spores (Reorganized from other Chapters).- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Taxonomy and Morphology.- 9.3 Fiel