Archaeologia Islandica - 01.01.1998, Page 132

I. A. Simpson, k.b. Milek & Garðar Guðmundsson
tephra sequence (2.5Y 3/2) have been
disrupted and incorporated into
cultural horizons. Presumed floor
layers (C9) are characterized by several
thin (<2 cm thick) horizons of varying
colours with moderate degrees of
compaction.
Context 7 is distinctly different from
contexts 8 and 9 and is characterized
by dark grey and dark grey brown (10
YR 3/1 - 3/2) silty loam deposits with
frequent charcoal and bone fragments.
These layers are currently interpreted
as midden deposits consisting of
predominantly turf and turf ash
deposits. Layers within context 6 are
characterized by their black (10YR
2/1) colour with lesser frequencies of
10YR 3/1 but are otherwise similar in
their sedimentary characteristics.
Again, current interpretation suggests
ash based midden deposits, although
in this case a greater proportion of
wood ash is proposed. Compaction of
the stratigraphy in the lower part of
C6 suggests that there may have been
a pathway across the deposits, before
they were covered by more midden
material. C5 is similar in its sedimen-
tary properties to C7, suggesting a
reversion to a more turf based ex-
ploitation of fuel resources.
TheC4 horizon
The chronological relationship of the
midden deposits in Area G and the
structures in Area D has been estab-
lished by the C4 horizon marker,
which overlies the Area G midden
deposits and underlies the turf walls of
structure D-l. This suggests that the
midden deposits and the pit house in
Area G pre-date D-l. Close inspection
of this horizon does however suggest
that it is comprised of several micro-
horizons and caution will be required
in using this horizon as a key strati-
graphic marker.
Emerging hypotheses
The stratigraphy described above al-
lows the proposal of a number of
hypotheses related to site formation,
which will be tested by sediment thin
section micromorphology. In 1996,
ten samples for thin section analyses
were collected from Area D and eight
from Area G.
Natural sediments: Natural sediments
are evident beneath the settlement site
and as post- abandonment sediments
overlying the site. Micromorpholog-
ical analysis of these soils will provide
information about local environmental
conditions immediately prior to site
formation, as well as environmental
conditions after the site was aban-
doned. Environmental conditions prior
to settlement are expected to be quan-
titatively and qualitatively different
from those after the abandonment of
the longhouse.
Floor layers: Field observations sug-
gest that floor layers are present in
three areas of the site so far investi-
gated. The floor layers associated with
the sunken floored building (Area G)
can be expected to be different from
floor layers associated with the long-
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