Revealing Woodland Period Landscape Use at Rat Island, Hamilton Ontario Using Itrax™ XRF Soil Chemical Analysis

Summary

With its ability to identify slight changes in chemical signatures from small easily obtained soil cores, Itrax™ core scanning provides an unparalleled opportunity to understand anthropogenic impacts on soils and explore the history of landscapes. Located in Lake Ontario less than 500 meters off the shore of Cootes Paradise, Rat Island (AhGx-7) enabled the integration of multi-element x-ray fluorescence analyses into a traditional excavation program. This small island, initially surveyed and excavated in 1969, 2001, and 2002, yielded artifacts representative of the surrounding Princess Point Archaeological Complex. Our project produced evidence of variable intensities of occupation across the site and within specific strata. This method minimizes environmental impact and field collection time while extending the boundaries of site investigation beyond those typical of small-scale traditional excavation. The method’s low impact and ease of collection has also allowed us to compare Rat Island to other sites in the area and contrast patterns of landscape use between Archaic and Woodland time periods. Overall, our study shows how Itrax™ core scanning can extend site-based research and develop a basis for articulation with regional landscape-based research programs.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 21403