Here we present a novel approach that combines soil micromorphology with the analysis of magnetically oriented samples to improve the interpretation of archaeomagnetic results. The aim is to test whether irregular archaeomagnetic data can be examined with micromorphological soil analysis in a single sample methodology, allowing said archaeomagnetic data to contribute to more meaningful archaeological interpretation. Experimental work included reusing oriented magnetic samples previously treated with sodium silicate resin, which were then re-impregnated with polyester or epoxy resins to produce thin sections. Initial experimentation was conducted to understand the potential effects of sodium silicate treatment on the optical and mechanical qualities of the thin sections. When no significant optical anomalies were identified, the methodology was tested using samples gathered from hearths at level X (ca. 52 ky BP) at the Middle Palaeolithic site of El Salt, Spain. Thin section analysis was conducted on archaeological hearth samples to identify syn- and post-depositional processes influencing the magnetic data. Micromorphological analysis of magnetic samples can identify the causes of anomalous magnetic direction, attributing them to specific sedimentary features rather than sampling or measurement errors. Discrepancies in magnetic signatures are linked to the presence or absence of certain combustion layers, such as black and white layers, as well as the impact of bioturbation and mechanical deformation. This integrative approach improves the interpretive potential of archaeomagnetic studies by not only validating the magnetic data as representative of the deposit but also providing a visual understanding of the sedimentary structure creating the magnetic signature. Our findings advocate for the routine inclusion of thin section inspection in archaeomagnetic research, particularly when dealing with complex sedimentary sequences and ambiguous magnetic data.

中文翻译：

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通过重复使用磁性取向样品进行微观形态分析来改进古地磁解释


在这里，我们提出了一种新方法，该方法将土壤微形态与磁性样品的分析相结合，以改善对古地磁结果的解释。目的是测试是否可以在单个样本方法中使用微形态土壤分析来检查不规则的古地磁数据，从而使所述古地磁数据有助于更有意义的考古解释。实验工作包括重复使用先前用硅酸钠树脂处理的定向磁性样品，然后用聚酯或环氧树脂重新浸渍以产生薄片。进行了初步实验，以了解硅酸钠处理对薄片光学和机械质量的潜在影响。当没有发现明显的光学异常时，使用从西班牙 El Salt 旧石器时代中期遗址 X 级（约 52 ky BP）的炉膛中收集的样本对该方法进行了测试。对考古炉膛样本进行了薄片分析，以确定影响磁性数据的同步和沉积后过程。磁性样品的微观形态学分析可以确定磁方向异常的原因，将其归因于特定的沉积特征，而不是采样或测量误差。磁特征的差异与某些燃烧层（例如黑色和白色层）的存在与否以及生物扰动和机械变形的影响有关。这种综合方法不仅验证了代表矿床的磁性数据，而且还提供了对产生磁性特征的沉积结构的视觉理解，从而提高了古地磁研究的解释潜力。 我们的研究结果主张在古地磁研究中常规包括薄片检查，尤其是在处理复杂的沉积序列和模糊的磁性数据时。