Abstract

Most archeologists have bandied about the adage that there were few organic remains excavated from the site, due to the acidic pH of the soil. Are archaeological materials impacted by the actual acidity, or by soil forming factors? In the Northeastem United States (especially Maine) and in the Maritime Peninsula of Canada, pedogenic conditions foster the formation of Spodosols (one of 10 USDA soil orders). Other soils in the Northeast and the Maritime Peninsula, such as Entisols, and Inceptisols, exhibit incipient spodic processes. How does archaeology in a region of Spodosols differ from other areas? This paper reviews the geographic occurrence of Spodosols, similar taxonomic groups in other pedologic classification systems, and the processes that characterize Spodosols. The geochemical processes creating Spodosols are of special interest to archeologists. Geoarcheological sampling protocols for these sites must recognize dominant pedologic conditions. These geochemical conditions change the nature of the cultural material record, affect the anthropogenic signature, and often transforin site cultural features. Two sites in Maine, the coastal Nahanada site, and the riparian Eddington Bend site will be utilized as examples of geoarchaeological sampling design and the problems facing interpretation of the resultant archaeological record after long-term spodic effects have impacted the cultural material record.