Study of Occupational Intensity in Modern Settlement of Nandakini Valley, District-Chamoli, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

This study was carried out in the modern settlement of Nandakini Valley, district Chamoli (Uttarakhand), India. The goal of this study was mainly to reconstruct the intensity of occupation in different locations of modern settlements through elemental analysis of anthropogenic soil. For this purpose, more than 300 soil samples were collected from five villages of the Nandakini Valley. Trace element analysis was conducted using the inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP). The chemical analysis revealed that anthropogenic soils from hearth and cooking areas (HCAs), refuse deposition areas (RDAs), cow dung deposition areas (CDAs) and toilet areas (TLAs) are capable for holding rich compositions of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K) and phosphorus (P), while anthropogenic soils from sleeping areas (SLAs), agricultural areas (AGAs) and barren land areas (BLAs) show a lower concentration of these elements, indicating that these soils are less capable for holding access composition of the said elements. On the basis of this scientific analysis, we can say that trace element analysis is significantly useful in identifying activity-rich areas and non-activity areas in the past settlement. At the same time, the estimation of hydrogen ion concentration is also potentially helpful in archaeological investigation.