19/03/2025
Do you remember our Middle Bronze Age excavation at La Muraiola di Povegliano? We’ve just published a study on a peculiar feature we identified during the dig: phosphatic crusts!
These hard, orangish deposits turned out to be key indicators of archaeological livestock penning areas 🐑🐄. Our research explores:
In this study, we:
✅ Provide a guide to identify phosphatic crusts both macroscopically and microscopically.
✅ Explain the formation processes behind these crusts.
✅ Highlight their value as archives for pollen, phytoliths, and faecal biomarkers.
This research enhances our ability to recognise past animal management practices!
📖 Read more here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305440325000561 (open access)
European Research Council Dipartimento di Geoscienze - Università di Padova Università degli Studi di Padova Ricint Unipd Elsevier Historic England CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
