Sand traps for the unwary - problems in the interpretation of sedimentological analyses

Abstract

The principles of sedimentology are briefly described. Four recently published archaeological reports containing sedimentological analyses are critically reviewed and it is suggested that they could all have been improved if the archaeologists who undertook them had discussed their investigations with a sedimentologist before beginning laboratory work. Finally, reference is made for comparative purposes to some sedimentological work recently undertaken in Western Australia and a plea is entered that archaeologists familiarise themselves with the full range of sedimentological techniques before undertaking their own analyses.