The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) provides geoarchaeological services to help resolve archaeological questions. Geoarchaeology incorporates aspects of geology, geomorphology, soil science, and archaeology. AAL's services include landscape analysis, soil description, micromorphology, coring, dating, geophysics, flotation, and geochemistry. These techniques help identify buried sites, features, and deposits to enhance understanding of archaeological sites. AAL staff have experience in all phases of investigation and can assist with projects through consultation, field work, analysis, and reporting.

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Applied Geoarchaeology Services
The Applied Anthropology Laboratories (AAL) provides geoarchaeological services. Geoarchaeology includes
the broad application of Earth science approaches to help resolve questions of archaeological significance. At
its core, geoarchaeology is multidisciplinary and includes aspects of Quaternary geology (sedimentology and
stratigraphy), geomorphology (landscape analysis), pedology (soil science), geochemistry, and archaeology
(among others). Incorporation of geoarchaeological approaches into research at the survey, eligibility testing,
and mitigation stages not only enhances the understanding of the archaeological record but often provides a
cost-saving advantage over more traditional CRM approaches. Review the list of services we offer and feel free
to contact us to explore how AAL can assist in your project.
Services Offered:
AAL staff have experience in various
approaches.
 Landscape Assessment
and Analysis are used to
determine the geomorphic history
of a landscape and to determine
the potential that landforms
contain archaeological materials.
Analysis includes field
geomorphic mapping, GIS, and
LiDAR modeling procedures.
 Soil Description and Particle-size Analysis are used to determine
depositional histories of landforms, identify buried sites, and can assess the
preservation potential of certain landscapes.
 Soil Micromorphology is a microscopy technique that allows
examination of undisturbed soil properties and processes in thin section. This
approach reveals natural and cultural formation processes, archaeological
features and micro-debris, mineral composition identification, and organic
residue identification.
Arcscene representation of LiDAR data showing terraces and sand dunes at the NRHP-
listed Sandy Springs site, Adams County, Ohio 1
Profile CB-4 at the NRHP-listed Sandy Springs site,
Adams County, Ohio. Younger soil (Ap-Bw) over older
buried soil (2A-2BC-2C) showing a potential for intact
archaeological deposits 1

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 Hydraulic Coring and Backhoe
Trenching are commonly used to
investigate deeply buried deposits below
the reach of traditional CRM methods,
especially in alluvial (river) and colluvial
(hillwash) settings.
 pH and Conductivity Analysis can be
used to characterize soil acidity and salinity
which are important for identifying
environments conducive to biological
preservation; as well as for understanding
various soil (and site) forming processes.
 Organic Matter Concentration
(Loss-on-ignition) can be used to
characterize organic matter percentage
within sediments and often serves as an
indicator of anthropogenic inputs. When
coupled with hydraulic coring and
geochemistry, this technique provides clues
to the location of deeply buried deposits.
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results classifying sediment samples by
depositional environment (e.g., alluvium, colluvium, aeolian, etc.) at the NRHP-
listed Sandy Springs site, Adams County, Ohio. Such analysis was used to identify
areas with high preservation potential for archaeological material 2
Micrograph of probable human excrement (mineralized
cess) with potential seed pseudomorphs in house basin fill at
the NRHP-listed Angel Mounds site in Vandenberg
County, Indiana (Cross-polarized light view). This finding
suggested that abandoned house basins also were used to
dispose of organic waste within the village 2
Micrograph of bone fragment in house basin fill at the NRHP-
listed Angel Mounds Site, Vandenberg County, Indiana (Plain-
polarized light view). Excavations had failed to identify macro-
faunal remains, but results of the micromorphology analysis
indicated that micro-fauna, likely in the form of organic waste, were
deposited in the abandoned basin 2

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 Geochronology and Absolute Dating Techniques are used to determine the age of cultural and
natural deposits. AAL staff are happy to assist in selecting the appropriate method for your project and
can assist in interpretation and Bayesian analysis of radiocarbon dates.
 Archaeological Geophysics refer to a
variety of ground-based sensing technologies
used to create maps of various subsurface
properties, including potential archaeological
sites. AAL conducts Ground-penetrating
Radar (GPR), Magnetic Gradiometry,
Electromagnetic Resistivity and Magnetic
Susceptibility studies and have used these
techniques to map buried features and building
foundations, identify unmarked graves, map
burned areas at pre-contact sites, and assess site
integrity.
 Flotation Analysis involves the recovery of micro-
botanical remains (e.g., charred seeds, charcoal, bone, and
nuts), and micro-artifacts using a Flote-Tech machine.
AAL can process your soil samples for you and help with
any identification or analysis.
Micrograph of Late Prehistoric Fort Ancient, shell-
tempered ceramic from the NRHP-listed Madisonville site
in Hamilton County, Ohio 3
GPR amplitude slice showing remnants of a buried
foundation, and other features under a parking lot in
Indianapolis, Indiana 4
Frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility map of site 33Ln15
showing areas of intense burning (white and light pink) 5

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 Soil Geochemistry includes the study of soil
elemental composition as a means to identify certain
enrichment and depletion that can provide clues of
human landuse. AAL has used geochemistry to map pre-
contact gardens, the extent of middens, and the presence
or absence of disturbance.
 Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) is used to
determine the elemental properties of sediments,
ecofacts, and artifacts away from the laboratory. It can
be used to source raw materials including ceramics,
stone, glass, and metal. Since the technique is non-
destructive, pXRF is especially useful in projects where
destruction of the artifact under consideration is not an
option.
Key Personnel:
AAL staff are archaeologists that work within a CRM environment and have an intimate knowledge of
timelines, budgets, and providing results that can be incorporated into contract reports.
 Matthew P. Purtill, PhD (ABD) (Geography, Geoarchaeology). Mr. Purtill has over 20 years of CRM
experience at all phases of investigation, formal geoscience training in pedology and geomorphology,
and training in GIS. He specializes in geoarchaeological approaches to archaeological problems at
multiple scales of study (region, site, artifact).
 Kevin C. Nolan, PhD (Anthropology) Dr. Nolan has over a decade of archaeological experience,
including all phases of investigation. Dr. Nolan has published numerous articles, dozens of CRM
reports, and several Reports of Investigation using GIS, geochemistry, and geophysics to reveal the
hidden archaeological record.
Soil phosphate analysis indicated midden
soils at site 12D480. Even with few
artifacts, the integrity of the village midden is
apparent 7
GPR amplitude slice showing previously unmarked
graves, Delaware County, Indiana 6

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AAL staff are available to discuss the requirements of your project and how geoarchaeology may be
applied to your project. To request a quotation, contact either Matthew Purtill (mpurtill@bsu.edu) or
Kevin Nolan (kcnolan@bsu.edu). We can also be reached at AAL by phone (765-285-5328).
References:
1Purtill, M. P. (2016). Aeolian and fluvial interaction in the middle Ohio River valley: New geomorphic, stratigraphic, and sedimentological evidence from
Sandy Springs, Adams County, Ohio. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 48, no.75, p.89, Denver.
2Purtill, M. P. (2013). An integrated geo-science approach for revealing the formation history of a Mississippian Period house feature at the Angel Mounds
Site, Indiana, U.S.A. M.A. Thesis, University of Cincinnati, Department of Geography, Cincinnati.
3Micrograph Credit: M.P. Purtill
4Balough, A., & Nolan, K.C. (2017). Ground-Penetrating Radar survey of the former McGowan Hall, Indianapolis, Indiana. Report prepared for
Knights of Columbus (AAL Project 16SP007). Applied Anthropology Laboratories, Department of Anthropology, Ball State University,
Muncie, Indiana.
5Nolan, K.C., Redmond, B.G. & Spielbauer, C.R. (2014). A rapid and inexpensive method for investigating community structure in the southwestern
Lake Erie Basin: A pilot study. Reports of Investigation 85, Volume 1 and 2, Applied Anthropology Laboratories, Department of
Anthropology, Ball State University, Muncie. Archaeological Research Reports, No. 165, Cleveland Museum of Natural History,
Cleveland, Ohio.
6Map Credit: K.C. Nolan
7Swihart, M.R. & Nolan, K.C. (2014). Investigation of Fort Ancient settlement and community patterns: An archaeological survey of Dearborn County,
Indiana. Reports of Investigation 83, Volume 1 and 2, K.C. Nolan (Ed.), Applied Anthropology Laboratories, Department of
Anthropology, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana.