Excavation techniques

Definition

Excavation techniques refer to the various methods used by archaeologists to systematically uncover and record artifacts, features, and other cultural materials buried beneath the surface. These techniques are crucial for accurately documenting the context of finds, which is essential for understanding the historical significance and relationships between different layers of occupation. By employing careful strategies in excavation, archaeologists can gain insights into past human activities and the development of early settlements.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Excavation techniques often involve hand tools like trowels and brushes, as well as mechanical equipment for larger sites, ensuring careful removal of soil.
2. One common approach is the grid method, where excavators divide the site into smaller sections for precise documentation and analysis of each area.
3. Vertical excavation focuses on uncovering different layers of occupation, while horizontal excavation aims to reveal a single layer or feature across a wider area.
4. Recording finds includes taking detailed notes, photographs, and drawings during excavation to preserve contextual information essential for later analysis.
5. The choice of excavation technique can vary based on the site's history, size, and anticipated findings, requiring archaeologists to adapt their methods accordingly.

Review Questions

• How do excavation techniques influence the interpretation of archaeological sites?
  • Excavation techniques directly influence how archaeologists interpret archaeological sites by determining how artifacts and features are uncovered and documented. Different methods, such as stratigraphic excavation or the grid system, allow for varying levels of detail in recording the context of finds. This context is crucial for understanding relationships between artifacts and their significance within a settlement's history, ultimately shaping interpretations of past human behavior.
• Discuss how specific excavation techniques were applied in early English settlements and their impact on uncovering historical data.
  • In early English settlements like Jamestown, excavation techniques such as systematic stratigraphy were vital for uncovering layers of habitation that revealed changes over time. These methods allowed archaeologists to distinguish between different phases of settlement, such as initial constructions versus later modifications. The application of these techniques has helped historians piece together the complex narratives surrounding survival, adaptation, and interaction with Indigenous populations during colonial times.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of excavation techniques used in the Dutch colonization of New Netherland in revealing cultural interactions with Native Americans.
  • The effectiveness of excavation techniques used during the Dutch colonization of New Netherland can be evaluated through their ability to uncover artifacts reflecting cultural exchanges between Dutch settlers and Native Americans. By employing methods like test excavations and site surveys at locations like Fort Orange, archaeologists were able to identify trade goods and tools that illustrated these interactions. Such findings provide valuable insights into how both groups influenced each other's lifestyles and economies, highlighting the complex dynamics at play during this period.

Related terms

Stratigraphy: Stratigraphy is the study of rock layers (strata) and layering, which is used in archaeology to analyze the sequence of human activity through different layers of soil.

Test Excavation: Test excavation involves digging small trenches or pits in a site to assess the presence and extent of archaeological remains before full-scale excavation.

Site Survey: A site survey is a method of systematically exploring an area to identify and record archaeological features before excavation begins.