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Geoarchaeology: The Geologist and Archaeology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Fekri A. Hassan
Fekri A. Hassan*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Washington State Univerity, Pullman, WA 99164
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Abstract

Geoarchaeology is the contribution from earth sciences to the resolution of geology-related problems in archaeology. Its scope is wide, encompassing (1) locating archaeological sites, (2) evaluating the geomorphic landscape for site catchment activities and site location, (3) studying regional stratigraphic and microstratigraphic materials for relative dating and recognition of lateral and vertical distribution of activity areas, (4) analyzing sediments for the elucidation of site-forming processes and quantification of microarchaeological (sub-macroscopic) remains, (5) analyzing paleoenvironments, (6) studying artifacts to determine manufacturing practices, procurement range, trade, and exchange networks, (7) modeling cultural/environmental interactions, (8) conserving archaeological resources, and (9) geochronology.

Type
Research Article
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 44 , Issue 2 , April 1979 , pp. 267 - 270
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1979

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