Soil & Water Res., 2013, 8(2):77-86 | DOI: 10.17221/49/2012-SWR

Use of trace elements from historical mining for alluvial sediment datingOriginal Paper

Jan HORÁK^{1, 2}, Michal HEJCMAN^{1, 2}

¹ Department of Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

² Institute of Prehistory and Early History, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

We examined whether it is possible to relate concentrations of trace elements in alluvial sediments with records concerning the intensity of mining, and use them as a means of dating. We conducted our research in the medieval mining district of the town of Kutná Hora in the Czech Republic. Samples were collected under the pond dam and analysed for clay, silt and sand content and for As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn concentrations. We observed two main peaks of element concentrations (Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, V and Zn), independent of grain fractions. The peaks were interpreted as a result of human activity. The concentration curves, stratigraphy and location of the dam/alluvium boundary were compared with historical records of mining production. This means of dam dating into the 16^th century agreed with historical dating from written sources. Trace elements were also successfully used as stratigraphic markers. The comparison between concentration patterns of V and other well interpreted elements (Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) enabled to recognize a material directly originating from the mines. The elements thus helped to interpret local sedimentation history.

Keywords: archaeological methods; heavy metals; historic metallurgy; human impact; landscape development; Middle Ages

Published: June 30, 2013  Show citation