The application of high resolution Mobile Metal Ion (MMI) soil geochemistry to archaeological investigations: an evaluation of its effectiveness

Graham Charles Sylvester

doi:10.4225/23/5976de93cabf3

The application of high resolution Mobile Metal Ion (MMI) soil geochemistry to archaeological investigations: an evaluation of its effectiveness

Graham Charles Sylvester

Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis

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Abstract

The research assessed the ability of the Mobile Metal lon (MMI) partial extraction soil geochemical technique to locate, define and document known archaeological sites which are concealed beneath the surface. Soil samples were systematically sampled from four field sites in the United Kingdom and subject to MMI partial extraction followed by ICP-MS analysis for 53 elements. Results demonstrated that MMI can detect subtle, low amplitude, multi-element anthropogenic soil geochemical anomalies indicative of buried archaeological materials, in a rapid, non-invasive manner; commonly more definitively than do othergeochemical techniques. MMI may become very useful on sites where widespread excavation is undesirable.

Original language	English
Qualification	Doctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution	The University of Western Australia
Supervisors/Advisors	Leopold, Matthias, Supervisor Rate, Andrew, Supervisor Wilson, Clare A., Supervisor, External person
Award date	5 Jul 2017
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4225/23/5976de93cabf3
Publication status	Unpublished - 2016

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10.4225/23/5976de93cabf3

THESIS - DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY - SYLVESTER, Graham Charles - 2016
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Cite this

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title = "The application of high resolution Mobile Metal Ion (MMI) soil geochemistry to archaeological investigations: an evaluation of its effectiveness",

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keywords = "Soil geochemistry, Archaeological prospection, Partial extraction, Mobile Metal Ion, Roman metal extraction",

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N2 - The research assessed the ability of the Mobile Metal lon (MMI) partial extraction soil geochemical technique to locate, define and document known archaeological sites which are concealed beneath the surface. Soil samples were systematically sampled from four field sites in the United Kingdom and subject to MMI partial extraction followed by ICP-MS analysis for 53 elements. Results demonstrated that MMI can detect subtle, low amplitude, multi-element anthropogenic soil geochemical anomalies indicative of buried archaeological materials, in a rapid, non-invasive manner; commonly more definitively than do othergeochemical techniques. MMI may become very useful on sites where widespread excavation is undesirable.

AB - The research assessed the ability of the Mobile Metal lon (MMI) partial extraction soil geochemical technique to locate, define and document known archaeological sites which are concealed beneath the surface. Soil samples were systematically sampled from four field sites in the United Kingdom and subject to MMI partial extraction followed by ICP-MS analysis for 53 elements. Results demonstrated that MMI can detect subtle, low amplitude, multi-element anthropogenic soil geochemical anomalies indicative of buried archaeological materials, in a rapid, non-invasive manner; commonly more definitively than do othergeochemical techniques. MMI may become very useful on sites where widespread excavation is undesirable.

KW - Soil geochemistry

KW - Archaeological prospection

KW - Partial extraction

KW - Mobile Metal Ion

KW - Roman metal extraction

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DO - 10.4225/23/5976de93cabf3

M3 - Doctoral Thesis

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The application of high resolution Mobile Metal Ion (MMI) soil geochemistry to archaeological investigations: an evaluation of its effectiveness

Abstract

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