Case Studies:Case study 17

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Guildhall (Roman amphitheatre) excavation, London – complementary use of multi-element analysis, soil micromorphology and palynology
Dr. John Crowther, Director of Archaeological Services at the University of Wales, Lampeter

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Excavations in the area of Guildhall Yard revealed deposits ranging from first century AD buried soils associated with a Roman amphitheatre through to post-Roman dark earth and 11th and 12th century moist, humic occupation deposits. An integrated programme of soil bulk sample analysis, soil micromorphology and pollen analysis was undertaken to characterise many of the contexts and to gain detailed insight into the various phases of occupation. High values were recorded for phosphate-P, heavy metals (Pb, Zn and Cu) and magnetic susceptibility enhancement. Additionally, high organic matter were associated with dung and cess type deposits and carbonate concentrations and pH values derived from lime plaster.

Keywords: Multi-element analysis, soil micromorphology, pollen analysis, Roman, medieval, buried soils, dark earth

Click on the link below to open a pdf with a more detailed summary of this project.

[[media:Case study 17.pdf|Guildhall Roman amphitheatre excavation]]

This case study is from the University of Wales Lampeter Archaeological Services website http://www.lamp.ac.uk/uwlas/soil_sediment.html#Guildhall

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