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Dark earth and land use in Roman and Early Medieval contexts

Richard Macphail (Institute of Archaeology, University College London)

Abstract

Soil micromorphology, chemistry and magnetic susceptibility studies of dark earth allow land use through time to be studied from poorly understood Roman and early medieval settlement contexts. Results permit inferences concerning the change in use of (settlement/urban) space that resulted in dark earth formation. Examples are presented from both small settlements and major urban areas in England; the site of St. Julien, Tours, France is also cited.