The Laboratory for Sedimentary Archaeology

The laboratory for Sedimentary Archaeology is headed by  Prof. Ruth Shahack-Gross. It focuses on earth-science sedimentary methods to address a wide range of archaeological research questions, including site formation processes, activity area reconstruction, states of preservation, past subsistence practices, and more. Equipment includes an FTIR spectrometer and petrographic microscopes for archaeological material characterization, a furnace for experimentation on the effect of heat on materials manipulated by humans (e.g., pottery, plaster), balances and centrifuges to extract microscopic remains indicative of human activity and subsistence in the past. The lab is equipped with four work benches that house research equipment, one seat station for the laboratory manager, and four student seat stations.