Geoarchaeology and Stratigraphy Flashcards
What is geoarchaeology?
The application of earth science methods nad procedures to archaeological sites.
What is stratigraphy?
The study of the sequence and correlation of deposits.
Who was Nicolas Steno?
17th century Danish scientist who defined the four principles: law of superposition, principle of original horizantality, principle of continuity, and principle of cross-cutting relationships.
What does the law of superposition state?
Younger layers are deposited on top of strata that are older, and under strata that are younger.
What does the principle of original horizantality state?
Strata are laid down horizantally on top of previous layers.
What does the principle of continuity state?
Strata are assumed to continue laterally until interupted.
What does the principle of cross-cutting relationships state?
Things that cross-cut layers post-date (are younger than) the layers that they cross-cut.
What does the law of association state?
Objects found in the same layer are of the same age (unless they have been disturbed).
What is the difference between soil and sediment?
Soil is a superficial layer and is made from organic material, but sediment comes from erosion and deposition.
What are the modes of sedimentary deposition?
Fluvial (water), Eolian (wind), Colluvial (gravity-deposited), Lacustrine (lakes), and Glacial (ice).
What is true of cuts in a Harris Matrix?
Cuts always come before fill, but new cuts can interupt old fill.
