Case Studies:Case study 34

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A Buried Soil from Castle Rising, Norfolk
Matthew Canti

This case study is based on Canti, M. A Buried Soil from Castle Rising, Norfolk Ancient Monuments laboratory Report 71/89, English Heritage

Abstract
Samples of a buried soil from excavations at Castle Rising were sent for laboratory description and analysis. Such soils do not usually have a depth of A horizon (190 to 360mm) that was found here, so it was possibly artificial deepened. Samples were taken using kubiena tins and a monolith tin. The kubiena tin samples were impregnated, sectioned and examined microscopically. The monolith was described and sampled for particle size analysis to provide information on likely horizon relationships. The juxtaposition of mor-type humus with occasional chalk grains and anthropogenic inputs suggest a degree of disturbance to the natural acid soil, which may or may not be associated with the actual burial. The unusual depth of the A horizon would suggest it to be artificial. The amount of exotic contamination is insufficient to indicate dumping, but their depth in the profile suggests considerable topsoil upheaval such as raking.

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[[media:Case study 34.pdf|A Buried Soil from Castle Rising, Norfolk]]

Keywords: buried soil, Castle Rising, Norfolk, sampling, particle size analysis, micromorphology

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