Depositional History of Franchthi Cave (WEB PDF) von William R. Farrand

Preliminary Table of Contents:

Preface and Acknowledgments
1. Background of the Franchthi Projects (Thomas W. Jacobsen)
2. Excavation History and Methodology
3. Geographical and Geological Setting
4. Lithostratigraphy
5. Sedimentology
6. Chronology of the Cave Fill
7. Evolution of the Cave Filling
Appendix A: Sediment Samples and Field Descriptions
Appendix B: Analytical Data for Sediment Samples
Appendix C: Granulometric Histograms (non-decalcified)
References
Plates
Index

This fascicle describes the background of the Franchthi project and its excavation history and methodology. Particle size, mineralogy, and chemistry are all taken into consideration as the cultural remains and the sediments from the cave are analyzed to determine their origin and history. William Farrand constructs an integrated stratigraphy for the entire cave using excavators' notes, laboratory analyses, and personal field data to correlate sequences in separate trenches. On the basis of some 60 radiocarbon dates, the evolution and chronology of the sedimentary fill is postulated.

William R. Farrand, Professor of Geological Sciences at the University of Michigan, has studied deposits in prehistoric caves and rockshelters in France, Spain, Algeria, and most of the countries in the Near East, and is an established practitioner and spokesman for the field of geoarchaeology.