The pedological properties (morphological,
physical, and chemical) of soils with Archaeological Black
Earth (ABE) were tested as an auxilliary method for
archaeological studies, and to verify the influence of
pre-historic human settlements; soil profiles inside the
sites were compared with profiles from outside.
In Site 1 (Anthropogenic Humic Latosolic Cambisol)
NS and EW transects were sampled, whereas in Site 2 (
Anthropogenic Humic Pethroplinthosol) the sampling was
randomized and mapped. In the fine earth were determined:
Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, P, C, FeO, Fed, Al, H+A1, K, Na, Cu, and pH.
From the analized elements the Ca, Mg, C, P, Zn and
Mn occuried in higher concentration in the ABE in relation
to other soils from Amazonic region. These elements also
show vertical and horizontal discontinuites in the
archaeological sites, decreasing to the extremities and
with soil depth. ABE layers considered homogeneous or
difficult to separate in archaeology, did show morphological
subdivision in various horizons.
The elements Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, P, and C, can be used
in archaeological research as an additional help to indicate
boundaries, and to identify archaeological sites with ABE,
and also explain pre-historic settlement patterns through
site descontinuites. The morphological analysis of profiles
can be used in archaeological research to make stratigraphic
descriptions.
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