Soil chemistry analysis of the Orgéres site (La Thuile, AO - Italy) as a reference for archaeological interpretation

Authors

  • Marco Ginepro Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 5, 10125 Turin, Italy
  • Giorgio Di Gangi Department of Historical Studies, University of Turin, Via Verdi 8, 10124 Turin, Italy
  • Chiara Maria Lebole Department of Historical Studies, University of Turin, Via Verdi 8, 10124 Turin, Italy
  • Silvia Berto Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 5, 10125 Turin, Italy
  • Federica Alchera Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 5, 10125 Turin, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21014/actaimeko.v13i4.1841

Keywords:

Alpine archaeology, elemental analyses, Middle Ages, Roman Age, ethnoarchaeology

Abstract

Archaeology is the discipline that studies past human civilizations by collecting, documenting and analysing the traces left by the ancestors. The cross-contamination of different scientific fields such as geology, chemistry and physics endorsed a more accurate analysis of the archaeological sites. This work analysed samples from the archaeological site of Orgères, located near La Thuile (Valle d'Aosta) through the following methodologies: ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy), and CHNS analyser. Inside the site artefacts from the Roman era and structures from the 17th century were found. Results of four different areas were compared with samples taken outside the site. The main soil constituents were analysed through principal component analysis that allowed an in-depth study of the relationships between the samples and highlighted the variables that most influenced the observed relationships. By evaluating the data set, it has been possible to date the site and the activities that were carried out at the archaeological site.

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Published

2024-12-20

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 4 (2024)

Section

Research Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Marco Ginepro, Giorgio Di Gangi, Chiara Maria Lebole, Silvia Berto, Federica Alchera

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