Geoarchaeology

SWCA has a laboratory with in-house magnetic susceptibility, texture analysis, and chemical analyses to support field-based investigations, and we have successfully worked laboratory results and chronometric modeling into project reports.

SWCA can perform underwater archaeological services including synthesis of coastal underwater resources, regulatory agency permitting, underwater geological coring, interpretation of geologic deposits and cultural integrity, evaluation of project designs and impact to cultural resources, identifying locales for potential buried cultural resources. SWCA has divers across the country that are certified to dive in riverine, coastal, and marine environments.

Using a combination of geological datasets and GIS spatial analysis, SWCA can perform desktop studies to predict the potential for buried archaeological sites and determine whether project components will impact subsurface cultural resources. The resulting buried site sensitivity model can inform consulting parties on potential risks of project implementation and be used to target sites for testing and mitigation.

Sediment analysis using microscopy that supplements stratigraphic analysis and landscape studies through: detection of microscopic archaeological evidence (charcoal, bone, shell, microdebitage, etc.); analysis of microstratigraphy and depositional environments; determination of vertical and horizontal site boundaries; analysis of site preservation; and the evaluation of buried soils (A horizons) along with their relative availability as a surface potentially available for past human activity.

Petrographic analysis (optical mineralogy) is a method in geology used to classify rocks. In archaeology, petrography is used to analyze the composition or microstructure of ceramic artifacts such as pottery, brick, tiles, daub, and other cultural materials composed of fired clay. Understanding the composition of ceramic materials helps our clients make decisions based on knowledge of cultural heritage, ceramic technology, social interaction, and the movement of people.

Non-invasive deep testing that extracts stratigraphically intact sediment cores from subsurface deposits. Collected in clear plastic tubes, there is no limit for coring depth. A highly efficient method that provides a permanent record of subsurface stratigraphy potentially containing charcoal, bone, shell, artifacts, and other cultural material. They are highly sensitive for detecting previously occupied surfaces (buried A-horizons or paleosols).