[Aqualist] Request for services

[Jakub Czastka]

Dear Members,

I'm an archaeologist working for a TO organisation (the Bunurong Land & Sea Association Inc). A series of test excavations have just been completed at the Point Nepean Quarantine Station on the Mornington Peninsula, VIC, undertaken by archaeologists and TO's volunteering their time.

The project is purely for research purposes (i.e. non-profit). However, a small amount of funds are available for specialist work.

Very briefly, we are investigating the Aboriginal occupation of Point Nepean, specifically in relation to the drying up of Port Phillip (see G. R. Holdgate, G.R, B. Wagstaff and
S.J. Gallagher. Did Port Phillip Bay nearly dry up between 2800 and 1000 cal.
yr BP? Bay floor channelling evidence, seismic and core dating. Australian
Journal of Earth Sciences (2011) 58: 157–175). We came across a deposit c.1m below ground levels (ground surface is 3-3.5m AHD) that may relate to the inundation of the bay around 1000 cal. yr BP.

Specifically, we are looking for specialists and/or labs that can undertake the following types of analysis:
1. Particle size to identify depositional environments (and any post-depositional changes, e.g. pedogenesis);
2. Soil chemistry/geochemistry; and
3. Investigation to identify the presence or absence of foraminifera.

We've got pollen analysis covered!

If anyone is interested in undertaking this work, could they please reply directly to: 
jakubdownunder at yahoo.com.au

Any comments or advice welcome!!!

Thank you for your time,
J.Czastka (Chaz)