The application of sedaDNA to landscape archaeology

sedaDNA在景观考古中的应用在很大程度上是一种未经检验的方法。目前的应用程序提供了一个机会，在一个战略和高调的项目中考虑sedaDNA方法，而不是一系列代理古环境方法。巨石阵隐藏景观项目承担了英国最大的陆地多传感器、考古地球物理调查之一。这项调查覆盖了英国标志性考古遗迹之一周围约10平方公里的区域，产生了数千个潜在的考古特征，这些特征已在一系列文章中进行了描述，目前正准备全面出版。虽然确定的大多数特征是可以解释的或符合已知的比较物，但仍有一些特殊特征无法解释，而且可能相当重要。其中包括一系列与该地区最大的纪念碑之一——杜灵顿巨石阵有关的大规模地球物理异常。最初被认为是现代的露塘，最近的一次挖掘发现了3个类似的异常现象，并将其解释为可能是史前填充物的天然天坑。进一步的研究发现了不少于15个类似的特征，它们的分布基本上围绕着新石器时代晚期的巨石阵。这些异常及其暗示的分布足以引起人们的兴趣，从而开展了一项单独的高分辨率勘探和取芯活动，证明磁异常代表直径18米，深度达4.8米的坑。Coring还表明，这些纪念碑在雅芳河阶地上的位置可能为测试sedaDNA应用的边界提供了条件，同时也试图评估这些奇特的、巨大的考古特征的功能。拟议的工作计划将加强和扩展我们对这些大规模特征的认识，并将包括对所有可用特征的重新调查，以及对一系列特征进行古环境研究和更广泛的测年计划。它还打算在景观中工作，特别是雅芳河梯田，为考古特征的数据提供更广泛的背景。博士候选人将从岩心样本中提取sedaDNA，以评估纪念碑背景下的埋藏学，并根据这些发现确定sedaDNA在多大程度上可以揭示它们的使用和沉积环境。沃里克大学为sedaDNA开发的古代DNA技术将使用专门的古代DNA设施和一个世界级的研究小组进行研究。下一代测序将被应用，结合生物信息学协议来分析数据。

The application of sedaDNA within landscape archaeology is a largely an untested method. The current application provides an opportunity to consider sedaDNA methodology, against a series of proxy palaeoenvironmental methods, within a strategic and high profile project. The Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project undertook one of the largest terrestrial multi-sensor, archaeo-geophysical surveys in Britain. Covering c. 10 square kilometres around one of Britain's iconic archaeological monuments, this survey has generated thousands of potential archaeologic features and these have been described in a series of articles and are currently being prepared for a comprehensive publication. Whilst most features identified are interpretable or conform to known comparators several exceptional features remain unexplained and are, potentially of considerable importance. These include a series of massive geophysical anomalies related to one of the largest monuments in the region - the Durrington Wall Henge. Initially interpreted as modern dewponds, a recent excavation identified 3 similar anomalies and interpreted these as, potentially, natural sinkholes with prehistoric fills. Further research identified no fewer than 15 similar features with a distribution essentially circling the later Neolithic Henge. These anomalies, and their suggestive distribution, were of sufficient interest to mount a separate exploratory campaign of high-resolution survey and coring proving that the magnetic anomalies represent pits 18 metres diameter and up to 4.8 metres deep. Coring also suggests that the position of some of these monuments on the Avon river terraces may provide conditions to test the boundaries of sedaDNA applications, whilst also seeking to assess the function of these peculiar, massive archaeological features Methodology: The proposed programme of work will enhance and extend our knowledge of these massive features and will include re-survey of all available features and coring across a series of features for palaeoenvironmental study and a broader dating programme. It is also intended to work within the landscape, and the Avon river terraces specifically, to provide a broader context to data from archaeological features. The PhD candidate will retrieve sedaDNA from samples of cores to assess taphonomy in the context of the monuments, and based on these findings determine to what extent sedaDNA can reveal about them in terms of their use and the depositional environment. Ancient DNA techniques for sedaDNA developed at Warwick will be followed using dedicated ancient DNA facilities and a world class research group. Next generation sequencing will be applied, combined with bioinformatic protocols to analyse data.