Trent Valley GeoArchaeology
Predictive Modelling of Multi-Period Geoarchaeological Resources at a River Confluence
Geomorphological Mapping and Environmental Reconstruction
The results of the airborne and terrestrial remote sensing surveys were combined with field based geomorphological field mapping to provide a geomorphological map of the study area. This analysis identified ten distinct episodes of channel development which could be arranged in a relative chronological sequence. In order to test this relative chronology established through non-intrusive techniques, each major channel assigned to a distinct time-period was cored. Coring was undertaken across each channel segment to provide a detailed stratigraphic model of in-channel and cross-channel sedimentation, as well as down-channel variation. At the mid-point of each cross section a sediment core was recovered to provide samples for palaeoenvironmental assessment and radiometric dating using both multi-fraction radiocarbon and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) techniques.
The palaeoenvironmental analysis included the determination of routine sedimentary characteristics, such as grain size, Loss on Ignition and CaC03 content. The samples were also analysed for pollen, spores and coleoptera which can provide details of the channel conditions, degree of canopy closure, the presence of grazing animals and other indicators of human presence. Combined with the dating techniques, this environmental reconstruction allowed a detailed geochronological sequence to be established for the study area.
