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Geoarchaeology

Construction work at the A2/M2 crossing of the Medway Valley
Geoarchaeological samples were taken from the common marsh below the bridge
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Geoarchaeology aims to understand and interpret both man-made and natural sediments, and relies heavily on the design and execution of augering or borehole surveys where exposed sections are not available.

The team includes palaeoenvironment and sedimentology specialists, and so can tackle ancient sediments from almost any urban or rural site. Museum of London Archaeology's geoarchaeological work often takes place during field evaluations or excavations. However, it can also be carried out entirely independently of other fieldwork.

We use geoarchaeological techniques:

  • To locate and recover evidence of past landscapes. Geoarchaeology can place more tangible archaeological remains into their past landscape context, and in flood plain and marshy land, use of augering is likely to be far more effective than open-plan excavation in mapping historic land surfaces and reconstructing past environments
  • To establish the nature of buried sediments and predict where archaeological deposits will be found, by constructing deposit models; such models can be especially valuable where the archaeology is deeply buried, where contamination precludes more conventional techniques and where little previous work has been undertaken in an area
  • To target areas of complete excavation on archaeologically productive areas; this can be a cost effective means of reducing excavation requirements
  • As an alternative to archaeological evaluation where access to the buried sediments is difficult (e.g. where buildings are still in use)
  • To answer specific archaeological research questions, for instance mapping past migrations of the Thames tidal head
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    We are available to advise on, sample and analyse archaeological and natural sediments encountered during any form of excavation, providing rapid feedback on their interpretation together with recommendations for further sampling strategies where appropriate.

    Read our geoarchaeology capability statement

    New business enquiries

    To make an enquiry about commissioning work, please email MOLANewBusinessEnquiry@museumoflondon.org.uk or call 020 7410 2200.

    Examples