Sedimentary processes involved in mud brick degradation in temperate environments: a micromorphological approach in an ethnoarchaeological context in northern Greece

摘要: Sun dried mud bricks are a common building material across the globe, found in many archaeological sites Old World since ca. 11,000 years ago. This is known to disintegrate due exposure elements, mostly affected by rain. Yet, geomorphic and sedimentological characteristics of this disintegration process have never been studied detail until recently. Here we report on brick degradation processes observed an abandoned village northern Greece. We demonstrate that unique micromorphological differentiate them from natural soils. Upon some these lost (e.g., planar voids after fibrous vegetal temper). Rain initiates at upper parts walls where washed down deposited their feet, forming conical talus. The talus deposits show features indicative variety flows, including wet dry grain debris, hyperconcentrated water flows. These flows seem operate simultaneously small distances. different micromorphologically soils thus can be used identify degraded sites. This, turn, may help location long (in absence stone foundations) relationship between house floors infill accumulated following wall degradation. A comparison current observations with previous study conducted arid southern Israel, illustrates generality low energy slope degradation, which emphasizes worldwide applicability identified study.