🦴Intro to Archaeology Unit 4 – Archaeological Fieldwork: Survey & Excavation

What's This Unit About?

• Focuses on the practical aspects of archaeological fieldwork, including survey and excavation methods
• Covers the process of identifying, documenting, and analyzing archaeological sites and artifacts
• Explores various techniques used to locate and map sites, such as aerial photography, geophysical surveys, and surface surveys
• Discusses the planning and execution of archaeological excavations, including site selection, grid layout, and stratigraphic control
• Emphasizes the importance of accurate recording and documentation throughout the fieldwork process
• Introduces the basic principles of artifact handling, classification, and analysis
• Addresses ethical considerations in archaeological fieldwork, such as site preservation, cultural heritage protection, and community engagement

Key Concepts and Terms

• Archaeological survey: systematic search for and recording of archaeological sites and features within a defined area
• Excavation: controlled and systematic removal of soil and sediments to uncover and study archaeological remains
• Stratigraphy: study of layered deposits and their relative chronology
• Context: relationship between artifacts, features, and their surrounding environment
• Provenience: precise location of an artifact or feature within an archaeological site
• In situ: artifacts or features found in their original position or context
• Typology: classification of artifacts based on their physical characteristics and attributes
• Seriation: relative dating method based on changes in artifact styles over time

Survey Methods and Techniques

• Aerial photography: uses high-resolution cameras mounted on aircraft or drones to identify archaeological features from above
  • Particularly useful for detecting large-scale features such as earthworks, roads, and settlement patterns
• Satellite imagery: analyzes high-resolution satellite images to identify potential archaeological sites and features
• Geophysical surveys: employ various techniques to detect subsurface features without excavation
  • Magnetometry: measures variations in the Earth's magnetic field to identify buried features such as hearths, kilns, and iron objects
  • Ground-penetrating radar (GPR): uses high-frequency radio waves to create subsurface images and detect buried features
  • Electrical resistivity: measures the resistance of soil to electrical current to identify features such as walls, ditches, and pits
• Surface surveys: involve systematically walking over an area to identify and record visible archaeological remains
  • Often employs transects, or evenly spaced lines, to ensure thorough coverage of the survey area
• Shovel testing: involves digging small, shallow holes at regular intervals to assess the presence and depth of archaeological deposits

Excavation Strategies and Tools

• Site selection: choosing an appropriate location for excavation based on factors such as research questions, site preservation, and logistical considerations
• Grid layout: establishing a precise grid system over the excavation area to maintain spatial control and record the provenience of artifacts and features
• Stratigraphic excavation: removing soil and sediments in reverse order of their deposition to understand the site's formation processes and chronology
• Arbitrary levels: excavating in predetermined, uniform levels (e.g., 10 cm) when natural strata are not visible or well-defined
• Hand tools: using manual tools such as trowels, shovels, and brushes to carefully remove soil and expose artifacts and features
• Screening: sifting excavated soil through wire mesh to recover small artifacts and ecofacts (e.g., seeds, bones)
• Flotation: using water to separate light organic remains (e.g., plant remains) from heavier soil particles
• Remote sensing: employing non-invasive techniques (e.g., GPR, magnetometry) to guide excavation strategies and minimize site disturbance

Recording and Documentation

• Field notes: maintaining detailed written records of observations, measurements, and interpretations during fieldwork
  • Includes descriptions of soil layers, features, artifacts, and any changes or disturbances in the excavation area
• Photographs: taking high-quality digital photographs of the site, features, and artifacts throughout the excavation process
  • Ensures a visual record of the site's appearance and context at various stages of excavation
• Drawings: creating accurate scale drawings and maps of the site, features, and stratigraphic profiles
  • Helps to illustrate spatial relationships and changes over time
• 3D modeling: using photogrammetry or laser scanning to create detailed three-dimensional models of the site and its features
• Database management: organizing and storing field data in a structured digital format to facilitate analysis and interpretation
• Sample collection: collecting soil, organic, and artifact samples for further analysis (e.g., radiocarbon dating, paleoethnobotany, residue analysis)

Artifact Handling and Analysis

• Labeling: assigning unique identification numbers to each artifact and recording its provenience information
• Cleaning: carefully removing dirt and adhered materials from artifacts using appropriate tools and techniques (e.g., soft brushes, water)
• Conservation: treating artifacts to stabilize their condition and prevent further deterioration
  • May involve techniques such as desalination, consolidation, or restoration
• Classification: organizing artifacts into categories based on their physical attributes, function, or cultural affiliation
  • Employs standardized typologies to facilitate comparison and analysis
• Measurement: recording the dimensions, weight, and other quantitative attributes of artifacts
• Photography: taking high-quality photographs of artifacts for documentation and analysis
• Illustration: creating detailed drawings of artifacts to highlight key features and attributes
• Specialized analyses: conducting specific analyses to extract additional information from artifacts
  • Examples include use-wear analysis, residue analysis, and chemical composition studies

Ethical Considerations

• Site preservation: minimizing site disturbance and implementing measures to protect archaeological remains during and after fieldwork
• Cultural heritage protection: respecting and safeguarding the cultural heritage of local communities and descendant populations
  • Involves consultation, collaboration, and obtaining necessary permissions and permits
• Informed consent: obtaining the consent of landowners, local communities, and other stakeholders before conducting fieldwork
• Data accessibility: making field data and research results available to the public and other researchers, while protecting sensitive information
• Artifact curation: ensuring the long-term preservation and accessibility of recovered artifacts and associated documentation
• Professional standards: adhering to established ethical guidelines and best practices in archaeological fieldwork, as outlined by professional organizations (e.g., Society for American Archaeology)
• Public outreach: engaging with local communities and the general public to share research findings and promote the value of archaeological heritage

Putting It All Together: Field Projects

• Research design: developing a clear and focused research question or hypothesis to guide the field project
  • Considers factors such as site significance, data potential, and broader regional or theoretical contexts
• Budgeting and logistics: securing necessary funding, permits, and resources for the field project
  • Involves planning for transportation, accommodation, equipment, and personnel
• Teamwork and collaboration: fostering effective communication and cooperation among team members with diverse expertise and backgrounds
• Data integration: synthesizing data from various sources (e.g., survey, excavation, lab analysis) to build a comprehensive understanding of the site and its context
• Interpretation and dissemination: analyzing field data to address research questions and communicate findings through publications, presentations, and public outreach
  • May involve collaborating with descendant communities and incorporating traditional knowledge
• Site management and stewardship: implementing long-term strategies for site protection, monitoring, and management in collaboration with local stakeholders
• Adaptive strategies: being prepared to modify field methods and research plans in response to unexpected findings, challenges, or opportunities that arise during the project