The Naked Scientists
  • Login
  • Register
  • Podcasts
      • The Naked Scientists
      • eLife
      • Naked Genetics
      • Naked Astronomy
      • In short
      • Naked Neuroscience
      • Ask! The Naked Scientists
      • Question of the Week
      • Archive
      • Video
      • SUBSCRIBE to our Podcasts
  • Articles
      • Science News
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Answers to Science Questions
  • Get Naked
      • Donate
      • Do an Experiment
      • Science Forum
      • Ask a Question
  • About
      • Meet the team
      • Our Sponsors
      • Site Map
      • Contact us

User menu

  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Help
  • Search
  • Tags
  • Member Map
  • Recent Topics
  • Login
  • Register
  1. Naked Science Forum
  2. Non Life Sciences
  3. Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology
  4. ?Erosion or accretion?
« previous next »
  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Down

?Erosion or accretion?

  • 1 Replies
  • 3389 Views
  • 0 Tags

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline OokieWonderslug (OP)

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • 117
  • Activity:
    0.5%
    • View Profile
?Erosion or accretion?
« on: 22/09/2011 18:10:57 »
I read that miles of dirt have been eroded off the top of the soil here in the piedmont. Yet when archeologists dig artifacts they are always buried. 10,000 years is about a foot of accumulation. So if dirt is accumulating, how is it eroding at the same time?

Wouldn't artifacts begin by being exposed? How do they get buried if erosion is happening? I am sorta confused by this.

Things that are thousands of years old being buried is not what happens when you're shaving miles of sediments off a continent.

How do geologists conquer the paradox? Hopefully not by ignoring it. 
Logged
 



Offline damocles

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • 756
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 1 times
    • View Profile
?Erosion or accretion?
« Reply #1 on: 22/09/2011 19:15:07 »
Quote from: OokieWonderslug on 22/09/2011 18:10:57
I read that miles of dirt have been eroded off the top of the soil here in the piedmont. Yet when archeologists dig artifacts they are always buried. 10,000 years is about a foot of accumulation. So if dirt is accumulating, how is it eroding at the same time?

Wouldn't artifacts begin by being exposed? How do they get buried if erosion is happening? I am sorta confused by this.

Things that are thousands of years old being buried is not what happens when you're shaving miles of sediments off a continent.

How do geologists conquer the paradox? Hopefully not by ignoring it. 

I think some crucial words in your post have been overlooked: ... at the same time ...

Simple logic tells us that artifacts that are dropped on ground that is eroding do not usually get buried: they either weather to the point of destruction or get scavenged, Just a few possibly do get buried in landslides and the like. On the whole, artifacts will only be preserved in places where they do get buried.

Archaeologists and palaeontologists mostly work at "digs" -- that is, where soil has been accumulating over the remains, and they have to be dug up. The few special places where artifacts are continually being exposed at the surface must therefore be places where soil was being deposited then, but is being eroded now.
Logged
1 4 6 4 1
4 4 9 4 4     
a perfect perfect square square
6 9 6 9 6
4 4 9 4 4
1 4 6 4 1
 



  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
Tags:
 

Similar topics (5)

What is the percent rate of the annual "Erosion of Grand Canyon?"

Started by EmilyA1997Board The Environment

Replies: 20
Views: 27951
Last post 08/02/2008 16:52:08
by DoctorBeaver
Would you like to hear updates on the Erosion of the Grand Canyon? - UPDATE

Started by JimBobBoard The Environment

Replies: 9
Views: 12170
Last post 15/03/2008 20:37:38
by DoctorBeaver
Would using wave energy reduce coastal soil erosion?

Started by AirthumbsBoard The Environment

Replies: 2
Views: 4896
Last post 11/08/2011 01:52:43
by Airthumbs
what's the difference between weathering and erosion?

Started by paul.frBoard Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology

Replies: 4
Views: 10654
Last post 17/09/2007 17:38:36
by DrDick
Rotation of the Earth and Erosion

Started by AllanonBoard Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology

Replies: 1
Views: 3749
Last post 21/08/2008 14:26:25
by JimBob
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
  • SMF 2.0.15 | SMF © 2017, Simple Machines
    Privacy Policy
    SMFAds for Free Forums
  • Naked Science Forum ©

Page created in 0.064 seconds with 33 queries.

  • Podcasts
  • Articles
  • Get Naked
  • About
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe to newsletter
  • We love feedback

Follow us

cambridge_logo_footer.png

©The Naked Scientists® 2000–2017 | The Naked Scientists® and Naked Science® are registered trademarks created by Dr Chris Smith. Information presented on this website is the opinion of the individual contributors and does not reflect the general views of the administrators, editors, moderators, sponsors, Cambridge University or the public at large.