Thesis Defense Announcement

College of Arts and Sciences announces the Final Thesis Defense of

Kathryn Proctor

for the Degree of Master of Science

June 3, 2019 at 1:00 PM in Johnson Hall, Room 222

Advisor:  Andrew Mickelson

ASSESSING THE USE OF SOIL PHOSPHATE ANALYSIS AS AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROSPECTION TOOL AT THE AMES SITE (40FY7), FAYETTE COUNTY, TENNESSEE

ABSTRACT: Archaeologists are increasingly integrating multiple survey techniques to reduce errors and biases in attempts to locate archaeological deposits and to gain a better understanding of people's use of space. This study assesses the utility of soil phosphate analysis as an archaeological prospecting tool in western Tennessee through soil analyses at the Ames site (40FY7) in Fayette County, Tennessee. The spatial distribution of available phosphorus and percent loss on ignition are compared to mapped magnetometry data over two areas with confirmed archaeological deposits. Establishing the utility of soil phosphate analysis provides an additional technique for detecting archaeological deposits found in similar settings, as well as a foundation for examining the technique in other archaeological contexts, such as delineating site boundaries or identifying intra-site activity areas. Archaeologists are increasingly integrating multiple survey techniques to reduce errors and biases in attempts to locate archaeological deposits and to gain a better understanding of people's use of space. This study assesses the utility of soil phosphate analysis as an archaeological prospecting tool in western Tennessee through soil analyses at the Ames site (40FY7) in Fayette County, Tennessee. The spatial distribution of available phosphorus and percent loss on ignition are compared to mapped magnetometry data over two areas with confirmed archaeological deposits. Establishing the utility of soil phosphate analysis provides an additional technique for detecting archaeological deposits found in similar settings, as well as a foundation for examining the technique in other archaeological contexts, such as delineating site boundaries or identifying intra-site activity areas.