Case Studies:Case study 19

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Early Christian burial site at Plas Gogerddan, Ceredigion, Wales – use of phosphate in the investigation of possible graves
Dr. John Crowther, Director of Archaeological Services at the University of Wales, Lampeter

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Pits at the Plas Gogerddan site contained virtually no traces of bone due to the free-draining, slightly acid, fluvio-glacial substrate. Some pits could be identified as graves from the presence of coffin stains, but where there was no visible evidence, phosphate analysis was undertaken. Unfortunately, the fluvio-glacial sands and gravels have a limited phosphate-retention capacity, but also exhibit very marked local variability in texture. The best results were obtained by analysing the clay+silt fraction of samples, rather than the conventional fine earth and strong signs of phosphate enrichment were recorded in the central part of the feature.

Keywords: Burial site, Early Christian, Plas Gogerddan, phosphate analysis, fluvio-glacial sands and gravels

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[[media:Case study 19.pdf|Early Christian burial site at Plas Gogerddan]]

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

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