I frequently detect (using Direct Temperature-Resolved Mass Spectrometry) relatively large amounts of potassium in solid organic residues preserved on ceramics from various archaeological contexts in the Netherlands. The residues are often food remains or other residues of pre-, and protohistoric vessel use. However, I am wondering about the potassium and trying to clarify whether I am looking at a contamination from the original prehistoric context (for instance from wood ash) or a more contemporary contamination (for instance from artificial fertilizer).
Does anyone have experience with the occurrence of Potassium in soils in relatively humid climates in Europe, and/or any references for me to read up on?
Howard, J. L., and Clawson, C. R., and Daniels, W. L. (2012) A comparison of mineralogical techniques and
potassium adsorption isotherm analysis for relative dating and correlation of late Quaternary soil chronosequences. Geoderma 179-180, 81-95.
For my PhD I carried out analysis of soil samples taken from topsoil, subsoil and inside targeted archaeological features. The K enhancements, in some of my case studies (in Scotland), were generally associated with archaeological deposits with higher concentration of organic matter, ash and charcoal. I found increased K-Fe-Ti in archaeological deposits associated with higher organic, clay mineral content + metal oxides in an archaeological deposit concealed in Aeolian sands (non- cultivated field). These are some very general points from my sites. Here some good references that I hope may help you.
Best,
Carmen
Oonk, S., Slomp, C.P., Huisman, D.J., 2009a. Geochemistry as an aid in archaeological prospection and site interpretation: Current issues and research directions. Archaeological Prospection 16, 35–51.
Oonk, S., Slomp, C.P., Huisman, D.J., Vriend, S.P., 2009b. Effects of site lithology on geochemical signatures of human occupation in archaeological house plans in the Netherlands. Journal of Archaeological Science 36, 1215–1228.
Oonk, S., Slomp, C.P., Huisman, D.J., Vriend, S.P., 2009c. Geochemical and mineralogical investigation of domestic archaeological soil features at the Tiel-Passewaaij site, The Netherlands. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 101, 155–165.
Wilson, C.A., Davidson, D.A., Cresser, M.S., 2005. An evaluation of multielement analysis of historic soil contamination to differentiate space use and former function in and around abandoned farms. The Holocene 15, 1094–1099.
Wilson, C.A., Cresser, M.S., Davidson, D.A., 2006. Sequential element extraction of soils from abandoned farms: an investigation of the partitioning of anthropogenic element inputs from historic land use. Journal of Environmental Monitoring 8, 439–44.
Wilson, C.A., Davidson, D.A., Cresser, M.S., 2007. Evaluating the use of multi-element soil analysis in archaeology: a study of a post-medieval croft (Olligarth) in Shetland. Atti della Società Toscana di Scienze Naturali 112, 69–78.
Wilson, C.A., Davidson, D.A., Cresser, M.S., 2008. Multi-element soil analysis: an assessment of its potential as an aid to archaeological interpretation. Journal of Archaeological Science 35, 412–424.
Wilson, C.A., Davidson, D.A., Cresser, M.S., 2009. An evaluation of the site specificity of soil elemental signatures for identifying and interpreting former functional areas. Journal of Archaeological Science 36, 2327–2334.
Wonderful to hear form you all! Thank you. And good to see some familiar faces here as well (how could it have been otherwise?). I will have to read up on at least some of the papers. Thanks for the references Carmen and Jeffrey.
I am especially interested in the possible mobility of K in the soil.
@Carmen: it seems from your brief summary that in your experience the mobility of K was relatively limited in deeper soil layers (and due mostly to archaeological organics being present). Question: Were the fields you were studying fertilized with artificial fertilizer in recent times? If not, it would not exclude this as a source for K in archaeological residues.
regards
Tania
Maybe analysis of K isotopes would provide provenance, i.e pottery vs. fertilizer.
The wind-blown sand site was non-fertilised in 'recent times'. The story in the other sites varies. In my experience, it’s a bit difficult to ask very specific question (such us when and what type of fertilizer has been used in a cultivated field) when you deal with factors rather when dealing with farmers. I agree with Jeffrey on the potential for isotopic fingerprinting. Another useful reference may be Wilson et al. Lead isotope ratios as a means of sourcing anthropogenic lead in archaeological soils: a pilot study of an abandoned Shetland croft. Archaeometry 48, 3 (2006) 501–509.
Dear Tania,
Since Potassium is relatively stable, we have found that if samples are taken from contexts below the plowzone, contamination from modern fertilizer is not likely.
You should contact Rod Salisbury Roderick Salisbury ([email protected]), our project soil chemist if you have additional questions. I have attached a few articles summarizing our soil chemistry results at Copper Age sites in Hungary.
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