archaeological substrates

Archaeological substrates are the natural materials or environments where archaeological remains are preserved or deposited. They include soils, sediments, rock layers, and waterlogged conditions that can protect artifacts, bones, or other cultural materials over time. The type of substrate influences how well artifacts are preserved, what can be found, and how archaeologists excavate and interpret sites. Understanding the substrate is essential because it provides context for the artifacts, helping to reconstruct past environments, human activities, and how ancient societies interacted with their surroundings.