This volume examines the impact of soil quality on past societies and looks at the way in which agricultural regimes have been structured to combat soil deterioration. The case studies are mainly Scottish and there are contributions from a distinguished array of distinguished archaeologists and soil scientists including Roger Mercer, Robert Dodgshon, David Hall and Richard Hingley. The value of a long term perspective for formulating future strategies for soil preservation is demonstrated in this innovative, multidisciplinary text.