Stratagems and back spoils: Utilizing backdirt in the management of archaeological earthen heritage

Lingle, Ashley and Seifert, Jerrod ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6550-570X 2024. Stratagems and back spoils: Utilizing backdirt in the management of archaeological earthen heritage. Journal of Field Archaeology 49 (3) , pp. 192-203. 10.1080/00934690.2024.2318533

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (3MB)

Abstract

Preservation strategies at earthen archaeological sites are challenging to develop and maintain in the long term. Environmental fluctuations, anthropogenic interference, and pedological composition are only a few factors that can impact deterioration pathways. Owing to these complexities, there will never be a one-size-fits-all strategy for preserving earthen sites. However, archaeological spoil—or backdirt—can be employed to mitigate many of these challenges. Utilizing illustrative case studies at the earthen sites of Çatalhöyük, Turkey, and Vésztő-Mágor, Hungary, the authors present the use of backdirt as a sustainable, structurally supportive, contextually sympathetic, and visually congruent material for earthen site conservation. Matters of authenticity, ethical mandates, and social benefits of its use are also considered, as are its limitations.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	History, Archaeology and Religion
Additional Information:	License information from Publisher: LICENSE 1: URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/, Start Date: 2024-03-04
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN:	0093-4690
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	22 November 2024
Date of Acceptance:	18 September 2023
Last Modified:	22 Nov 2024 11:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/174237

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item