Tag: geoarchaeology

Exploratory analysis on the ditches from the site of Vetricella

  By ,

During the 2018 excavation campaign at Vetricella, seven exploratory trenches were opened to investigate the nature of the ditches surrounding the site. Thanks to the preliminary results obtained from the trenches excavated during the 2016, we tried to deepen the role of the intermediate ditch (the most deepest and largest), with the opening of four trenches (Fig.1) excavated at the cardinal points (North, South, East, West).   To increase the knowledge of the backfill of the ditch and to make… Continue reading

Recreate the environments of the past: geognostic surveys in val di pecora and val di cornia

  By

In July and October 2018, two coring sampling campaigns were conducted in the flood plains of Val di Cornia and Val di Pecora in South Tuscany, with the aim to recreate the natural history of these territories. Through a wide range of procedures we will obtain crucial data about climate, vegetation, hydrogeological changes and anthropic use of the soil, useful to explain and interpret the complex relationship between man and environment in the last 3000 years (Fig.1-2).   Sediment cores… Continue reading

MICROMORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

  By

Micromorphological analysis from undisturbed sediment samples collected during the 2016/17 archaeological campaigns of Vetricella is currently ongoing. Thin sections have been observed under a ZEISS polarizing microscope at magnifications between 1,25X and 40X, using plane-polarized light (PPL) and crossed-polarized light (XPL). In addition it has been used a reflected light (RL), primarily for the observations of opaque masses (Fig.1).   Due to the stratigraphic complexity of the sediment, a microfacies characterization has been opted. So far, analysis shows that the… Continue reading

Collecting a micromorphological sample at Vetricella

  By

On September the 21st, geologists Prof. Pierluigi Pieruccini and Dr. Davide Susini of the Department of physical science, Earth and environment(University of Siena)collected a micromorphological sample from a section at the site of Vetricella. This will be sent to the laboratory of “Servizi per la geologia” (Piombino-LI), in order to prepare thin sections. The sections will be analyzed through petrographic microscope to better understand the composition and the nature of the sediment.   Continue reading

Geo-archaeological investication in Loc. Ficarella (Monterotondo Marittimo,GR)

  By

On August the nEU-Med Team made an archaeological investigation in  Loc. Ficarella (Monterotondo Marittimo,Gr), a flat area located near the medieval fortified site of Cugnano, to better understand the stratigraphic sequence discovered for geothermic power plant realization (Centrale Monterotondo 2) (Fig.1). Several exploratory thrences were dug to verify the consistency of the possible archaeological deposit; in this area previous topographic and geophysical surveys highlighted the presence of late-antiquity site. Thanks to ENEL GreenPower, Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio per… Continue reading

Geomorphological analysis on Pecora valley

  By ,

Geomorphological and geoarchaeological analysis along the Valley of river Pecora and river Ferriere currently ongoing, being part of the PhD project “Geoarchaeology of Medieval Landscape between the Colline Metallifere and the Tyrrhenian Sea (ERC nEU-Med Project)”. Field survey and Remote Sensing analysis (LIDAR, multi-temporal images) are now focused in the  area between the archaeological site of Vetricella (Scarlino) and Massa Marittima (Fig.1). Sedimentological and geomorphological data collected so far show an abrupt change in the landscape during the time span… Continue reading

Soil Micromorphology sampling and investigations at Vetricella and Carlappiano sites

  By ,

Soil micromorphology is a branch of Earth Science that uses microscopic techiques for the analysis of the microstructure and the micro nature of the components of sediments and soils. In archaeology, micromorphology is a powerful tool, providing important information either for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction or for site formation/frequentation and abandonement  processes (both guided by natural or anthropic factors). In Vetricella (Scarlino) and Carlappiano(Piombino), micromorphological analysis has just started, collecting undisturbed sediment and soil samples from the archaeological successions for thin section… Continue reading

First Geoarchaeological and Archaeobotanical campaign at the Vetricella and Carlappiano excavations

  By ,

The excavation campaigns carried out at Vetricella (Scarlino) and Carlappiano (Piombino) are coupled with geoarchaeological and archaeobotanical investigations (Fig.1). During this phase the main aim of Geoarchaeology is to support archaeologist to define stratigraphy and environment of deposition of sediments or formation of soils. Moreover, it helps to define the influence of human activities in the formation of layers and strata. These sets of information, coupled with field surveys carried in the surrounding areas, will give a picture of the… Continue reading