Dose rate was measured by alpha counting, beta counting and flame photometry (for K content). The beta dose rates determined directly by beta counting were compared with beta dose rate calculated from K content and alpha counting assuming secular equilibrium. There was no significant difference for any of the three samples. External dose rate was estimated from radioactivity measurements on associated sediments from various parts of the site. Dose rate from cosmic radiationwas determined after Prescott and Hutton (1994). Moisture content was estimated at 80 ± 20% of saturated values (16e20%) for the pottery and 20 ± 6% for the silt loam sediments.