Date
Spring 2018
Document Type
Poster Session
Department
Chemistry
Advisor
Nathan Hamilton Ph.D.
Keywords
Malaga Island, Spiller Farms, human habitation, environmental evolution
Abstract
Two archaeological excavations for the University of Southern Maine collected sediment columns from select units for geological and chemical analysis. The Spiller Farms site is a Native American site located in Wells, Maine marking a transition period between the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs, 12,000 BP. The Malaga Island site was a historic mixed-race community at the north end of Casco Bay where sediment columns were obtained in near-shore and subtidal zones. The samples obtained from Malaga Island have been radiocarbon dated to 3800 +/- 30 BP at 23 meters below the low-tide line. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis is being conducted on select samples focusing on changes in concentration of elements indicative of both human habitation and environmental change. The purpose of this research is to document environmental evolution, chronological heritage and to extend to public education the changes in past environments.
Start Date
4-20-2018 9:00 AM
Recommended Citation
Bushie, Heather L., "Geochemistry of Archaeological and Marine Environments in Southwest Maine" (2018). Thinking Matters Symposium Archive. 127.
https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/thinking_matters/127
Included in
Archaeological Anthropology Commons, Climate Commons, Environmental Chemistry Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Human Geography Commons, Nature and Society Relations Commons, Physical and Environmental Geography Commons
