Screen

Definition

In archaeology, a screen is a tool used in the excavation process to separate artifacts and other materials from soil and debris. This method enhances the recovery of small finds and ecofacts, ensuring that significant archaeological data is not overlooked during excavation. Screens are integral to stratigraphic analysis as they help maintain the context of recovered items, allowing archaeologists to better understand the layers of occupation at a site.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Screens come in various sizes, usually made of mesh material, allowing for the collection of different types of artifacts based on size.
2. Using a screen during excavation can significantly improve the efficiency of artifact recovery, especially for small items like beads or bones.
3. Screens help prevent loss of information by ensuring that artifacts remain in their original stratigraphic context, which is crucial for accurate interpretation.
4. Screening is often performed alongside troweling or shoveling to ensure that all potential finds are recovered from a given area.
5. In some cases, archaeologists may use water screening to recover materials from wet contexts, enhancing their ability to find delicate or small items.

Review Questions

• How does screening enhance the archaeological excavation process?
  • Screening enhances the archaeological excavation process by allowing archaeologists to sift through excavated soil to recover small artifacts and ecofacts that might otherwise be missed. By using a mesh screen, they can separate these materials from larger debris, improving the chances of finding significant items that contribute to understanding the site's history. This method is especially important in stratigraphic contexts where maintaining the integrity of layers is essential for accurate analysis.
• Discuss the relationship between screening and stratigraphy in archaeological excavations.
  • The relationship between screening and stratigraphy is crucial for effective archaeological excavations. Screening aids in preserving the stratigraphic context of recovered artifacts by ensuring they remain linked to their original layer within the soil. This connection allows archaeologists to analyze how different layers correspond to specific time periods or events, enhancing our understanding of human activity over time. Without proper screening methods, important data related to stratigraphy could be lost, leading to incomplete or inaccurate interpretations.
• Evaluate how the use of screens during excavation can influence the interpretation of archaeological data.
  • The use of screens during excavation significantly influences the interpretation of archaeological data by maximizing artifact recovery and preserving context. When screens are used effectively, they ensure that even small finds are documented within their appropriate layers, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of site occupation. This thorough recovery process leads to richer data sets that can reveal insights into past human behaviors, environmental conditions, and cultural practices. Ultimately, better artifact recovery translates into more accurate reconstructions of historical narratives and greater knowledge about the complexities of human history.

Related terms

Stratigraphy: The study of rock layers (strata) and layering (stratification) used in archaeology to establish the temporal sequence of human activity.

Context: The relationship between an artifact and its surrounding material, including its location within a layer and its association with other finds.

Excavation: The systematic digging and recording of archaeological sites to uncover and document artifacts, features, and other evidence of past human activity.