Optically-stimulated luminescence profiling and dating of historic agricultural terraces in Catalonia (Spain)

Kinnaird, T., Bolòs, J., Turner, A. and Turner, S. (2017) Optically-stimulated luminescence profiling and dating of historic agricultural terraces in Catalonia (Spain). Journal of Archaeological Science, 78, pp. 66-77. (doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2016.11.003)

[img]
Preview
Text
132056.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

3MB

Abstract

Dating agricultural terraces is a notoriously difficult problem for archaeologists. The frequent occurrence of residual material in terrace soils and the potential for post-depositional disturbance mean that conventional artefactual and lab-based dating methods often provide unreliable dates. In this paper we present a new technique using luminescence field profiling coupled with OSL dating to produce complete (relative) sequences of dates for sedimentary stratigraphies associated with agricultural terraces and earthworks. The method is demonstrated through a series of case-studies in western Catalonia, Spain, in which we reconstruct the formation sequence of earthwork features from the Middle Ages through to the present day. OSL profiling at the time of archaeological survey and excavation permitted spatially and temporally resolved sediment ‘chronologies’ to be generated, and provides the means to interpret the environmental and cultural archives contained in each. The case-studies presented here show that luminescence approaches are a valuable tool to reconstruct landscape histories.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Kinnaird, Dr Timothy
Authors: Kinnaird, T., Bolòs, J., Turner, A., and Turner, S.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:Journal of Archaeological Science
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0305-4403
ISSN (Online):1095-9238
Published Online:05 December 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 The Authors
First Published:First published in Journal of Archaeological Science 68:66-77
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record