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The use of phosphate analysis in archaeology is possible because past human occupation and activities increased the amount of soil phosphorus in the areas occupied. The accumulated phosphorus in archaeological deposits tends to remain constant through time and is measurable through soil sampling and chemical analysis, thereby providing archaeology with a valuable tool, applicable to a wide variety of research situations. Phosphate analysis is especially useful in surveying large areas to locate and delimit sites.
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Alf Sjöberg (1976) studied this question.
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