Archaeomagnetic Dating and Palaeochannels Sediments: Data From the Mediaeval Channel Fills at Hemington, Leicestershire

This paper illustrates how archaeomagnetic dating can be used for palaeochannel fills within floodplain sequences. The sites investigated are palaeochannels associated with the mediaeval braided/anastomosing channels of an unstable reach of the River Trent at Hemington, north-west Leicestershire. This reach has revealed abundant archaeological remains including fish weirs, anchor stones, a Norman mill and three mediaeval bridges. The studies used here show good agreement between archaeomagnetic dating and other evidence from archaeology, dendrochronology and radiocarbon dating. Fabric and mineral analyses of the sediments are used to identify the source of the remanent magnetization and it is believed that this is predominantly the result of the biogenic synthesis of magnetic minerals in high pH but anoxic conditions. This study illustrates the type of alluvial sediments that are most suitable for archaeomagnetic dating. ? 1998 Academic Press Limited