This soils based project, aims to evaluate the use of multi-element soil analysis as an archaeological survey and interpretational tool. To this end we are sampling from known contexts at six, post-medieval farm sites in England, Scotland, and Wales:

• Olligarth, Papa Stour, Shetland (figure 1)
• Balnreich, Tayside, Perthshire
• Auchindrain Historic Township Museum, Argyll
• Grumby, Rogart, Sutherland
• Far House, Hawnby, North Yorkshire Moors
• Cwm Eunant, Llanwyddyn, Powys

At each site areas of known function (house, hearth, byre, midden, kailyard, in-field and out-field) are sampled and analysed using multi-element techniques to try and identify distinct geochemical fingerprints that can be related to their former function.

The result of this project will be a detailed understanding of the loadings and processes that create patterns in element concentration across MOLRS sites that can be used to inform and guide the future use and interpretation of multi-element soil analysis in archaeology.

This is a 3-year NERC funded project, which began in June 2002 and is due for completion June 2005.

Submitted by:
Clare A Wilson, Donald A Davidson (School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA) and Malcolm S Cresser (Environment Department, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD)