Urban gardens in Antiquity

In the Eastern Mediterranean, where some of earliest known urban cities are located, relatively little is about soils in archaeological contexts. Red Mediterranean Soil (RMS) a hallmark region while impact long-term urbanization on RMS material understudied. this article we present evidence from longue durée cityscape Jerash, Jordan, to determine how humans have used, modified and impacted an context. Thin-sections were made twelve samples, micromorphological studies several in-situ but disturbed adjacent bedrock conducted, spanning initial surface soil disturbances Hellenistic Roman period occupation, as well transported through Umayyad periods (until earthquake 749 CE). We compared on-site inner-urban red natural area found that characteristics reflect their origin Pleistocene soils, other traits human related activities. The majority samples contained comparable modern centers, including changes structure, texture, inclusions, high levels contamination heavy metals phosphorus (P), which combined strong signs activity. Evidence textural pedofeatures, fragmented peds, mixed fabrics, sorting silt-sized likely use gardens cultivation. Black carbon inclusions within fabric contain for burning organic matter connection with various anthropogenic activities, re-dispersed via aeolian water erosion processes. Heavy metal enrichments, associated production artisanal may also been disseminated by both processes, possibly conjunction irrigation undertaken polluted water. Contrasting fabrics inclusion features observed thin section together elemental analayses characterizes nature cultivation its environmental context at city life was maintained over 800 years. With cultivated areas increasingly evidenced stratigraphies different regions world, our approach offers new insight into vital contributions these management has food security, resilience longevity early life.