GAI’s geoarchaeology, geomorphology, and pedology specialists regularly work alongside our archaeologists, reconstructing past cultural activities by analyzing soils, geographic, and sediment data. From Phase IA sensitivity assessments through Phase III site mitigation, a thorough geomorphological assessment frequently eliminates test areas, which is a cost- and time-saving approach accepted by permitting agencies and State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs).

On-site analyses provide quantitative information on site formation and allow GAI specialists to place cultural resources into their proper historic environmental context. Our professional staff, which includes a full-time pedologist/geomorpologist, also evaluates detailed soil profiles to reconstruct historic landscapes and climates, and to interpret human-induced changes in the soil. These findings influence the extent to which cultural resources are preserved in place, moved, modified, or destroyed. To learn more, view our Cultural Resources Feature Projects.  

• Geomorphology reconnaissance
• Local geomorphology
• Stratigraphic soil profile evaluations
• Soil auger transect studies
• Petrographic analysis
• Ceramic thin section analysis