Problems in dating Stone-Age settlements on sandy soils: the Hof ten Damme site near Melsele, Belgium

Abstract

Archaeological sites on sandy soils often suffer from dislocation of artifacts and datable materials. Because stratigraphy and context lose their meaning in such cases, all 14C dates in this study were put in a dispersion diagram regardless of the sample origin. We drew conclusions about the chronology of the site by comparing this diagram with archaeological analysis of the artifacts and the evolution of the landscape. The dating series, as well as the archaeological analysis, suggest several occupation phases. In general, the archaeological chronology agrees with the 14C dates, although the two can be equated only with caution.