Geological Methods for Archaeology

This book discusses the application of geological methods and theory to archaeology. Written as a survey text covering appropriate methods and techniques taken from geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and geochronology, it shows the student the practicality and importance of each technique's use in solving archaeological problems. Specific techniques are illustrated by practical results obtained from the authors' use on archaeological digs.
With an international geographical scope, the book draws on sites from both hemispheres, including the Franchthi Cave in Greece, St. Catherines Island in the U.S., the Roman site of Drand in France, and Monte Verde, Chile. The authors also address applications in less traditional areas such as underwater, historical, industrial, and conservation archaeology.

1. - Scope of Archaeological Geology
2. - Geomorphology in Archaeology
3. - Sediments and Soils
4. - Chemical Methods
5. - Radioactive Methods: Radioactive Decay and Age Determination
6. - Radiation Damage, Cosmogenic and Atom Counting Techniques
7. - Other Chronological Methods
8. - Archaeogeophysical Exploration
9. - Soil Phosphate in Archaeological Surveys
10. - Archaeological Materials - Rocks and Minerals
11. - Instrumental Analytical Techniques
12. - Metallic Minerals and Archaeological Geology
13. - Ceramics
14. - Applications of Stable Isotopes in Archaeological Geology