Bioturbation and the formation of latent stratigraphies on prehistoric sites: two case-studies from the Belgian-Dutch coversand area.

ABSTRACT:

This paper discusses the vertical distribution of artefacts of two Mesolithic-Neolithic sites within the sand belt of Belgium and the southern Netherlands. Contrary to prevailing theories claiming that sites from these archaeological stages are generally no more than mixed surface sites, the present study demonstrates the existence of a latent stratigraphy, which can be traced in the vertical distribution of the different categories of archaeological finds (lithic artefacts, pottery sherds, carbonized plant remains, calcined bones). Furthermore it is suggested that the formation of these latent stratigraphies is due to long-term faunal turbation occurring in non-podzolic soils.