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The University of Tennessee

University of Tennessee Department of Anthropology

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Geoarchaeology


Geoarchaeology is the application of methods and theories from the Earth sciences (geomorphology, soil science, sedimentology) to archaeological questions. We provide comprehensive field and laboratory services for cultural resource compliance and research projects.

Phase I, II and III Geomorphological and Geoarchaeological Services include:

  • Geomorphic predictive modeling
  • Landscape assessment to determine the potential for buried sites or stable landforms for archaeological surveys in alluvial or colluvial settings
  • Hydraulic coring and backhoe trenching
  • Reconstruction of regional, local and site specific depositional histories and formation processes
  • Standardized soil and sedimentological description and systematic soil sampling (We hold an international soils permit to allow for the storage and transfer of US and international soil samples)
  • Physical and chemical laboratory analyses, including PSA, LOI, C/N, bulk geochemical and elemental (XRF, ICP), stable isotopes, SEM, and microartifacts analyses
  • Micromorphological analysis of soils and sediments, including sample collection, embedding and thin sectioning, and detailed petrographic analysis

Our staff has extensive experience and training in various aspects of archaeology, geomorphology and soil science in the Southeastern, Mid-Atlantic, Midwestern US and beyond. We are also able to call on other specialists from the ARL to assist in GIS predictive modeling, zooarchaeological, archaeobotanical, bioarchaeological, geophysical and artifact analyses.

ARL Staff

Howard Cyr, MA

Consulting Staff

John T. Ammons Ph.D, Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science; Pedology
Neal S. Eash Ph.D, Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science; Pedology, Soil Fertility
John Foss Ph.D, University of Tennessee Emeritus, Soils International Inc; Pedology, Geoarchaeology
Zheng-Hua Li Ph.D, Earth and Planetary Science; Isotope Geochemistry
Claudia Mora Ph.D, Earth and Planetary Science; Quaternary Studies, Isotope Geochemistry

 


Various ARL pictures

ARL logo

ARL Staff

Howard Cyr, MA
5723 Middlebrook Pike
Room 237
Knoxville, Tennessee
37921-5946

Phone:  865-974-9645
Fax: 865-946-1883