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Archaeological Field Methods
Archaeological Field Methods: Part I: Before Excavation
IntroductionSurveyRemote SensingMappingSurface Collections
Before the Fieldwork Begins
• Permission or access to lands • Necessary Research Permits• International preparations if
necessary• Talk to local community• Prepare laboratory processing space• Prepare adequate artifact storage
space
Preliminary Research
• Research any previous archaeology of the region
• Consult historical record (written records, old maps, etc.)
• Understand the landscape
Preliminary ResearchPortion of a Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from 1884 showing Charles Bierbauer's West Utica Brewery on Edwards Street next to "J. B. Goodliff Malt Ho. Old. Vacant."
Archaeological Field Survey
Archaeological survey is the process of locating and initially evaluating sites in a given area.
Archaeological Field Survey
Some sites are found by accident, such as Lascaux.
Archaeological Field Survey
Most site survey is project-related.
Methods of Survey
Transects
Transects may be a better survey strategy in a landscape covered with dense vegetation.
Methods of Survey
Grid
1 km grid squares placed over the Tell Hisban, Jordan Valley
Archaeological Sampling
Various techniques are employed during many phases of archaeological investigation to select a sample of the universe of potential data.
Archaeological Sampling Strategies
Judgmental sampling: sampling where you believe (based on judgement) sites will be found
Probabilistic sampling: using a form of scientific randomization
Archaeological Sampling Strategies
Probabilistic sampling: first, grid off your entire area for analysis (this is the basis for the sampling)
• Simple Random sampling: random selection of squares from entire area• Systematic sampling: sample every nth square• Stratified Random sampling: divide (stratify) total area into different subsections, randomly sample within each• Stratified Unaligned sampling: random sample taken within each predefined grid square
Survey Information RecoveryObservation: identify location of artifacts on the surface
Surface Collection: analyze types and quantities of artifacts in different places
Survey data obtained from the Hungarian Copper Age site of Körösladány 14
Survey Information Recovery
Subsurface Sampling:Shovel Test Pits: small
Test Units: larger, square
Survey Information Recovery
Subsurface Sampling:Post-Hole Diggers
Augers
A Bucket Auger
Archaeology and Remote Sensing
Anything that helps us learn what is on or in the ground without having to dig, or even be present.
Aerial photographyShowing prehistoric enclosure under fields in Cornwall, England
Archaeology and Remote Sensing
Satellite Data: can “see” what is not visible, e.g. through dense forests.
Infrared Imaging (NASA)
Maya region, Petén, Guatemala
Ground Truthing of Archaeological Sites
Archaeology and Remote Sensing
Satellite Data: can highlight ancient features such as roads
Infrared Imaging (NASA)Chaco Canyon Area, NM
Archaeology and Remote Sensing
Ground Penetrating Radar
Possible Fortification DitchesSingle GPR Profile, Bunker Hill
Six 20 m long GPR profiles showing possible fortification ditches from the Revolutionary War battle, Bunker Hill
National Monument, Mass.
Archaeology and Remote Sensing
Magnetometry
Filtered magnetic susceptibility data revealing linear trends possibly
representing structures and garden plots at Escondido Pueblo, NM
Archaeology and Other Modern Technology
Global Positioning Systems (GPS)Reads signals bouncing off several satellites to give exact locations in latitude/longitude or other coordinates.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)Computerized ways of making maps of different features that can be overlain to show relationships of natural and cultural features through time.
Archaeological Mapping
Tape and Compass
Simple and inexpensive, but less accurate than other techniques
Archaeological Mapping
Total Station and Prism
Total Station measures angle distance to a prism
Archaeological Mapping
GPS Mapping
Good for larger-scale maps, not as precise as Total Station Mapping
Archaeological Mapping
What Gets Recorded
•Landscape Features•Site Locations•Architecture•Excavations
All based on Site Datum
After Mapping the Site
Site-level Surface Collections
Can help determine where to dig within a site
Archaeological Field Methods: Part II: Excavation
Provenience and StratigraphyExcavation LevelsExcavation TechniquesArtifactsNote Taking
Provenience
Must control 3-D space while conducting archaeological investigations.
Stratigraphy: Understanding Vertical Space
Law of Superposition: Earliest strata are typically the deepest
Stratigraphy: Understanding Vertical Space
Law of Archaeology: Strata will not necessarily be horizontal, or even straight across!
Excavation Levels
Natural or Stratigraphic Levels: Excavation reverses the natural order of deposition by proceeding downwards one stratum at a time.
Contoured Arbitrary Levels: The archaeologist picks an arbitrary depth (5 cm, 10 cm, etc.) to which the entire unit is excavated, paralleling the natural slope of the ground surface.
Simple Arbitrary Levels: Levels are defined by arbitrary depths below datum. When a level is completed, all four corners and the center of the unit will be the same depth below datum.
Combined Natural and Arbitrary Levels.
Excavation Techniques: Horizontal or Vertical?
Vertical Excavations:
•Smaller-sized, deeper pits, aimed at recovering diachronic information
•Typically start with small test-pits, 1x1m or 2x2m
Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island, CA
Excavation Techniques: Horizontal or Vertical?
Probably not Approved by OSHA!
Excavation Techniques: Horizontal or Vertical?
Horizontal Excavations: •Larger, more exposed areas, aimed at recovering synchronic information
Roman Settlement, Vignale III R11522, Italy
Excavation Techniques: Horizontal or Vertical?
Trench Excavations:
•Quick exposure of small horizontal area
•Exposes stratigraphy through sidewalls
Caerleon Legionary Fortress, Roman Era, U.K.
Excavation Techniques: Tools of the Trade
Small Tools:
•Trowel•Tape Measures•Files•Root Clippers•Nails and String•Line Level/Plumb Bob•Dental Picks•Brushes
Excavation Techniques: Tools of the Trade
Larger Tools:
•Spade•Shovel•Pickaxe•Large Clippers•Dustpan•Whisk Broom•Buckets•Wheelbarrow•30m Tape Measure•Screens
Excavation Techniques
Excavations range from careful trowel and brush work to the use of backhoes.
Trowel excavation of Native American site, Morro Bay, CA versusBackhoe removal of topsoil, Yarra Yarra Catchment Area, WA
Excavation and Recovering Artifacts in the Field
Many artifacts are recorded in situ (in their original location) before removal from excavation
Foundation Floor with Artifacts, Historic Bishop Ranch House, Clark County, NV
Excavation and Recovering Artifacts in the Field
Architectural and other features are recorded
Early medieval oven or kiln, Leicester, UK
Excavation and Recovering Artifacts in the Field
Many artifacts are recovered through screening
Screening muddy soilDry screening
Excavation and Recovering Artifacts in the Field
Water-screening
Often must bring soil to a source of water
Excavation and Recovering Artifacts in the Field
Flotation: Recovering tiny artifacts through specialized water-screening
•Tiny Artifacts•Carbon•Botanicals
Low-tech and High-tech
Fish scales, e.g.
Note-Taking in the Field
Forms: ensure archaeologists record consistent information for the following…•Features (within or cross-cutting units)•Levels (within units, complete a new form with each new level)•Units (fill out when excavation unit is complete)•Profile/Plan maps (profile all stratigraphy, draw plan maps of the base of all excavation levels)•Photo/Video Logs (document all finds and levels)
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