Geoarchaeology (Soil analyses)
The geochemical properties of soils can be excellent indicators of past activities, both human and natural. Buried soils can tell us about ancient farming practices, lake sediments record the levels and sources of erosion in their catchment. Variations in the chemical components within a soil may indicate the changes in organic input, be it the location of corpses, or the fertilisation of fields.
Furthermore the actual structure of the soil can be changed by human interference. Such factors can be observed through analysis of the Soil Micromorphology, and Soil Chemistry. Soil science also encompasses a variety of prospection techniques which allow for the easier delimitation of archaeological sites or past land use practices, such as farming.
