Chemical analysis of floor samples as a tool for archaeological prospection. Comparison with the magnetic survey data and the archaeological excavation data: the case study of Pava (Italy)

Phosphate analysis is one of the first techniques applied in archaeological prospection. Its utility was already clear in the middle of the XIXth century. Phosphates are in fact related to human activity and at a major level correspond to the human presence in the landscape. At intra-site level phosphates concentrations correspond to trush pits, food preparation and consumption areas as well as stables and cemeteries. The use of phosphate analysis as a prospection instrument it’s less and less used in archaeological projects also due to the effectiveness of other techniques such as geophysics. Nevertheless in the project of Pava directed by Campana and Felici, we decided to use a broader spectrum of techniques in order to gain as much information as possible before starting the excavation. The aim was also to test the validity of the different techniques and establish the suitability of their use in different situations. In this case we had in fact the opportunity of comparing the results of the prospection with those obtained by an extensive excavation that can allow testing the results of each technique and their complementarity. Among the techniques carried out there were the chemical analysis of soil samples taken from the surface. pH, phosphate and carbonate analysis were carried out in order to find patterns that could reflect the presence of human activities or cultural modifications of the soil.