Phosphate fractionation and spatial patterning in ancient ruins : a case study from Yucatan

Developments in International Geoarchaeology. Special Issue

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

HUTSON, S.R.

Univ. of Kentucky, Etats-Unis

MAGNONI, A.

Tulane Univ., Etats-Unis

BEACH, T.

Georgetown Univ., Etats-Unis

TERRY, R.E.

Brigham Young Univ., Etats-Unis

DAHLIN, B.H.

Shepherd Univ., Etats-Unis

SCHABEL, M.J.

Milwaukee Soil Lab., Etats-Unis

FRENCH, C.

Dep. of Archaeology, Univ., Cambridge, Royaume-Uni

Description :
In this paper, the AA. present results from the Classic Period Maya urban center of Chunchucmil, Yucatan, Mexico, that suggest that P fractionation can be used not only for chronometric purposes, but also, when combined with other lines of data, for exploring different soil formation processes and testing hypotheses about signatures for ancient activities such as food preparation. The fractionation results at Chunchucmil are unusual in comparison to studies from other sites. Furthermore, there are strong correlations between the sum of P fractions and carbonate. The AA. discuss potential explanations for these patterns in P fractionation data, considering local pedology, differential length of ancient occupation, and localized dumping of the byproducts of maize processing. The geochemical results suggest that dumping water from maize soaking provides a potential explanation for the ancient P patterns.

Type de document :
Article de monographie

Source :
Catena (Giessen), issn : 0341-8162, 2009, vol. 78, n°. 3, p. 260-269, nombre de pages : 10, Références bibliographiques : 1 p.

Date :
2009

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Cremlingen-Destedt, Catena

Langue :
Anglais