VSF 2010 Report - Nabo

Problems and Potential
The practice of coring can help identify the extent of archaeological features or locate
them, although some difficulties can emerge. First, the stratigraphy released by this
exercise represent only a small sample of the whole feature and could eventually represent
a single event (like postholes or small hearth feature). Second, in the case of middens, only
bone fragments are seen in cores due to its width and therefore it is difficult to estimate
with certainty bone preservation and real archaeological potential of the feature. Third, in
the case of Vatnsjarðasel and Hálshús, the peat ash and charcoal deposits, having almost no
inclusion, can illustrate the burning of peat used as fuel. Also, because peat ash is a threat
to bone preservation, faunal remains could have been destroyed by chemical action
(acidity). Finally, the depth that can be reached by the tool is limited and therefore full
extent of feature can be missed. Nonetheless, coring is a usefull way to discern differences
between natural and anthropogenic depositions, and to characterize stratigraphy on a large
scale basis with little site impacts, minimum effort and labour.
Bibliography
Aldred, Oscar (2007) Landscape Reseach in the Vatnsfjörður Environs, in Milek K. (ed.)
Vatnsfjöður 2007 Framvinduskýrslur/Interim Report, FS383-03097.
Fornleifastofnun Íslands, Reykjavík, pp. 21-42.
JÁM VII (1984) Jarðabók Árna Magnússonar og Páls Vídalíns VII. Ísafjarðar-og
Strandasýsla,Hið Íslenska Fræðafjélag, Kaupmannahöfn.
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