Improved sampling techniques for baked clay and soft sediments

A modified Thellier sampling technique and a modified technique for taking soft cores are presented. Both techniques are applicable to unconsolidated material such as baked clay, loess, or sand. While the modified Thellier technique can also be used for debris or fluviatile sediments, the soft cores can only be taken from humid, unconsolidated and fine grained material. Both methods have been applied to seven archaeological structures and the results are compared to each other. In their final version, as presented here, both techniques give identical results.