What Is a Varve in Archaeology?

A varve is an annual layer of sediment or sedimentary rock. The word 'varve' derives from the Swedish word varv whose meanings and connotations include 'revolution', 'in layers', and 'circle'. The term first appeared as Hvarfig lera (varved clay) on the first map produced by the Geological Survey of Sweden in 1862.

What is varve and how does it form?

Varves typically consist of two layers, a coarse sand or silt layer capped with a fine grained clay layer separated by a sharp contact (fig. 2). Varves form due to seasonal fluctuations in glacial environments. These include processes like meltwater and sediment input, lake ice cover, wind shear and precipitation.

What is the varve analysis?

varve A banded layer of silt and sand deposited annually in lakes, especially near to ice sheets. The coarse, paler material is deposited in summer; the finer, darker material in winter. ... Varves can be counted to calculate the age of glacial deposits (varve analysis, also called varve chronology or varve count).