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Problems in Dating Stone-Age Settlements on Sandy Soils: The Hof Ten Damme Site Near Melsele, Belgium

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Mark J. Y. Van Strydonck
Affiliation:
Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage, Jubelpark 1, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium
Jean-Pierre Van Roeyen
Affiliation:
Archeologische Dienst Waasland, Regentiestraat 63, B-9100 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
Guido Minnaert
Affiliation:
Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage, Jubelpark 1, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium
Cyriel Verbruggen
Affiliation:
Geological Institute, University of Gent, Krijgslaan 281, S8/A1, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
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Abstract

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Archaeological sites on sandy soils often suffer from dislocation of artifacts and datable materials. Because stratigraphy and context lose their meaning in such cases, all 14C dates in this study were put in a dispersion diagram regardless of the sample origin. We drew conclusions about the chronology of the site by comparing this diagram with archaeological analysis of the artifacts and the evolution of the landscape. The dating series, as well as the archaeological analysis, suggest several occupation phases. In general, the archaeological chronology agrees with the 14C dates, although the two can be equated only with caution.

Type
II. 14C in Archaeology
Copyright
Copyright © the Department of Geosciences, The University of Arizona 

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