Table of Contents

• 1. Research Objectives of Geoarchaeology
• 2. Geoarchaeological Foundations: The Archaeological Site Matrix: Sediments and Soils / Stratigraphy / The Geoarchaeological Interpretation of Sediments, Soils, and Stratigraphy
• 3. Alluvial Environments: Streamflow / Sediment Erosion, Transport, and Deposition / Alluvial Environments: Rivers, Arroyos, Terraces, and Fans / Alluvial Landscapes Evolution and the Archaeological Record / Alluvial Landscape Reconstruction
• 4. Eolian Environments: Sediment Erosion, Transport, and Deposition / Sand Dunes / Loess and Dust / Stone Pavements / Eolian Erosion / Volcanic Ash (Tephra)
• 5. Springs, Lakes, Rockshelters, and Other Terrestrial Environments: Springs / Lakes / Slopes / Glaciers / Rockshelters and Caves
• 6. Coastal Environments: Coastal Processes / Late Quaternary Sea Level Changes / Coastal Environments / Coastal Landscape Evolution and the Archaeological Record / Coastal Landscape Reconstruction
• 7. The Postburial Disturbance af Archaeological Site Contexts: Cryoturbation / Argilliturbation / Graviturbation / Deformation / Other Physical Disturbances / Floralturbation / Faunalturbation
• 8. Geoarchaeological Research
• Appendix A: Geoarchaeological Studies Illustrating the Effects of Fluvial Landscape Evolution on the Archaeological Record
• Appendix B: Geoarchaeological Studies Illustrating Site-Specific Synchronic and Diachronic Alluvial Landscape Reconstructions
• Appendix C: Geoarchaeological Studies Illustrating Regional Synchronic and Diachronic Alluvial Landscape Reconstructions

Reviews

"Waters has undertaken a formidable task in writing a treatise on geoarchaeology, a multifaceted field in which practiioners normally specialize in only a few facets. . . . An excellent book." --Geoarchaelogy "In Prinicples of Geoarchaeology, Michael Waters presents a detailed and enlightening view of the field of geoarchaeology and successfully links theory and practice on one volume. . . . It explicitly avoids laborious discussions of anlaytical techniques such as micromorphology or soil analysis, which are more fully explored elsewhere. The emphasis placed on field aspects of geoarchaeology is well directed and amply illustrated with examples derived from field studies. . . . An excellent summary of mainstream approaches to the subject." --American Scientist "This well-written book offers ample proof of the productive interaction between the geosciences and archaeology over approximately the past 60 years. Throughout the book, Waters provides examples of geoarchaeological research from the Quaternary Period of North America supporting his opinion that such studies 'enhance the interpretation of human prehistory.'" --The Holocene