Working the land, searching the soil : developing a geophysical framework for Neolithic land-use studies : project introduction, -methodology, and preliminary results at ‘Valther Tweeling’

We are introducing the project ‘Working the land, searching the soil. A geophysical framework for diachronic land-use studies’ and present the first research results. By combining geophysical measurements with soil sampling and analysis on profiles of natural soils and archaeological features with long-term geophysical monitoring by sensors in the profile face, we aim to optimize the geophysical prospecting of subtly contrasting Neolithic (and other) soil features. The first results of the fieldwork on the cut of a Neolithic pit at ‘Valther Tweeling’ show the challenging conditions to register geophysical contrasts between soil traces and natural soils. The temporal changes in the electrical soil properties of the feature fill and the natural soil profile indicate that these react differently to precipitation, however. Therefore, subject to further data collection and analysis, an optimal contrast could be sought.

Publication year:2021

Accessibility:Open