The use of heavy metal soil analysis for archaeological surveying

An evaluation of the geochemical analysis of soils as an archaeological investigative technique is illustrated with reference to a site with a known history of human use and settlement. The results show certain elements, including the heavy metals Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu etc., to be associated with locations of past human activity, and support such analyses as significant additions to the means by which archaeologists might investigate the archaeological record.