Soilmark Sites

Soilmark sites become visible through subtle colour variations on bare earth sites (i.e. an area which has been ploughed or had its top soil stripped away). Variations in soil colour on an archaeological site can occur for three main reasons:

• If soil has been disturbed (either by digging into it or by moving it) the density can alter, which will have an effect on its moisture retaining properties. Digging can also result in a mixing of soil types.
• If a feature has been backfilled with debris other than the soil from which it was excavated. For example a pit filled with household waste or a ditch in which vegetal matter has accumulated and composted.
• If the ground overlying stone, concrete or brick structures has been ploughed resulting in fragments of this material being chipped away and mixed into the overlying soil.

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