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测试的方法。目前的申请提供了一个机会，在一个战略性和高调的项目中，对照一系列替代的古环境方法，考虑sedaDNA方法。巨石阵隐藏景观项目进行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一个标志性的考古纪念碑周围约10平方公里的面积，已经产生了数千个潜在的考古特征，这些特征已经在一系列文章中进行了描述，目前正在准备一份全面的出版物。虽然确定的大多数特征是可解释的或符合已知的比较器，但仍有一些特殊特征仍未解释，并且可能具有相当重要的意义。其中包括一系列与该地区最大的纪念碑之一--杜灵顿壁坑有关的大规模地球物理异常。最初被解释为现代露塘，最近的一次挖掘发现了3个类似的异常，并可能将这些解释为具有史前填充的天然天坑。进一步的研究确定了至少15个类似的特征，其分布基本上围绕着新石器时代晚期的恒格。这些异常及其暗示的分布足以引起人们的兴趣，以开展单独的高分辨率调查和取心勘探活动，证明这些磁异常代表直径18米、深达4.8米的坑。岩心研究还表明，其中一些古迹位于雅芳河阶地上的位置可能为测试sedaDNA应用的边界提供条件，同时也试图评估这些特殊的、大规模的考古特征的功能方法：拟议的工作方案将增强和扩大我们对这些大规模特征的知识，并将包括重新测量所有可用的特征和对一系列特征的取芯，以便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，为来自考古特征的数据提供更广泛的背景。博士生将从岩芯样本中提取sedaDNA，以评估古迹背景下的挖掘，并根据这些发现确定sedaDNA可以在多大程度上揭示它们的用途和沉积环境。华威开发的sedaDNA的古代DNA技术将使用专门的古代DNA设施和世界级的研究小组进行跟踪。下一代测序将与生物信息学协议相结合来分析数据。

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.