Standardised recording of sediments in the excavation of the Sabaean town of Sirwah, Yemen

The application of sediment description in excavations helps to interpret sedimentary archives on archaeological sites. Although there are a few standardised approaches for describing deposits in excavations, stratigraphic records carried out by archaeologists can differ significantly from those carried out by geoscientists. In order to compare the results of both types of records, anthropogenic deposits of the Sabaean town of Sirwah, Yemen were investigated with regard to sedimentological criteria. Apart from field description and radiocarbon dating, the texture, structure and chemical data were studied in order to demonstrate whether or not they are suitable for determining post-sedimentary modifications and for refining stratigraphy as developed by archaeologists. The comparison of sediment units and cultural layers of a selected part of an archaeological section demonstrates that a stratigraphic record carried out according to a soil manual substantiates depositional history. In addition, the paper gives some new insights into the occupation and building history of the unique Sabaean culture at the Ramlat As-Sab'atayn desert margin of Yemen in the first millennium BC.

► Sedimentological recording differs from the archaeological one. ► Standardised sedimentological recording refines archaeological stratigraphy. ► Sedimentological field and lab data identify more occupation levels in Sirwah.