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Deep anthropogenic topsoils in Scotland: distribution, character and conservation under modern land cover

Jo McKenzie (University of Stirling)
Ian Simpson (University of Stirling)

Abstract

This project used historical, geographical and archaeological sources to investigate the distribution of deep anthropogenic topsoils through Scotland, and micromorphology and chemical analyses to demonstrate the effect of modern land-use upon these soils. In doing so, we highlight the need for strategies to conserve this important cultural resource. Historical research identified a series of factors likely to affect deep topsoil distribution, such as manure availability, urban settlement, and domestic and industrial waste disposal. Informed by this, a series of deep topsoil locations in different Scottish regions were investigated using micromorphological and bulk soil techniques. While micromorphological indicators for input histories proved both highly individualistic and robust under varied modern land uses, chemical indicators such as phosphorus were clearly affected by current land-cover. Identified as a potentially rare resource of highly localised cultural information, we suggest protection of deep anthropogenic topsoils as a clearly significant part of the rural historic environment.