ABSTRACT
Soil animals interact with humans – and with the archaeological sediments humans leave behind – in diverse ways: they are affected by human actions on soils, but they also work together with humans to alter soils. Once abandoned, sediments left by humans continue to be affected by soil-forming processes, including the actions of soil animals. Ancient earthworks (e.g. agricultural raised fields, fish weirs) and other features of archaeological landscapes have not persisted unaltered since being abandoned. Bioturbation by soil engineer organisms such as termites, ants and earthworms can obscure stratigraphy. However, activities of these organisms may also be crucial for the preservation of human-made landscape features by setting in motion processes that conserve the physical vestiges of earth-works against erosion. This chapter will show the importance of understanding the effects of soil engineers for interpreting archaeological landscapes and present methods for studying soil engineers in archaeological sites.
