Abstract:
Microarchaeological remain analysis is a rare approach in Sri Lankan archaeology. X-Ray
Fluorescence analysis was used to identify geochemical properties of soil units recorded in
archaeological excavations. Identifying range of elements through a stratigraphical
sequence could reveal cultural activities and site formation processes. Proposed method was
used for analyzing the soil recovered from an archaeological excavation at Nikasala Nuwara Buddhist monastic complex. The excavated site was dated to 2-3 cent. A.D based
on artifact classification. Stratigraphic sequence is undisturbed and four layers were
reported. Low Fe concentration and higher P in the upper layer indicates reduced cultural
activities and higher intensity of human activities. Arsenic, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr are low at the
layer one and four while they are high at the layer two and three indicating increased
cultural activities in layer two and three. Ti, Sr, Nb, Zr and P2O5 increased in the layers one
and two while MnO and Pb shows no much variation which could relate to oxidizing
conditions of soils. Vanadium shows high variation throughout the profile. As it was
apparent from the results, the chemical composition of the site is highly shaped by the
cultural process rather than natural factors.
