Identification of materials used for earthwork construction: the semi-circular fortification rampart of Hedeby, Northern Germany

Researchers developed a novel method to classify and identify materials used in earthwork construction, addressing the challenges posed by minimally invasive coring techniques. The study focused on the semi-circular fortification rampart of Hedeby, an early medieval Viking settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site. By analyzing physicochemical properties—such as grain size distribution, weight percentages, loss on ignition, magnetic susceptibility, and element concentrations—of 139 samples from three cores, the team applied statistical methods like principal component analysis and cluster analysis to distinguish material clusters. The findings revealed that the rampart was constructed using a mix of soil horizons, cultural deposits, and Pleistocene materials in varying proportions along its length. This method significantly enhances the objectivity and efficiency of geoarchaeological investigations, particularly for large-scale earthworks where complete excavation is impractical.

Kurgaeva, A., Khamnueva-Wendt, S., & Bork, H.-R. (2022). Identification of materials used for earthwork construction: the semi-circular fortification rampart of Hedeby, Northern Germany. Boletín de La Sociedad Geológica Mexicana, 74(3), A040422. https://doi.org/10.18268/bsgm2022v74n3a040422