Feature

Definition

In archaeology, a feature refers to a non-portable evidence of human activity, such as structures, pits, or post holes that provide insights into past behaviors and practices. Features are crucial for understanding the context of archaeological sites and are often analyzed alongside artifacts to reconstruct historical narratives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Features can include walls, hearths, storage pits, and post holes, which are often left in situ during excavation to maintain their contextual integrity.
2. Unlike artifacts, features cannot be easily removed from their original context without losing critical information about their relationship to other materials and structures.
3. The analysis of features is essential for building chronological sequences and understanding the function of different areas within an archaeological site.
4. Features can provide valuable information about the technology, social organization, and daily activities of past cultures.
5. Dating methods like radiocarbon dating can be applied to organic material found within features, helping to establish their age and significance in the site's overall timeline.

Review Questions

• How do features differ from artifacts in archaeological contexts, and why is this distinction important?
  • Features differ from artifacts in that they are non-portable evidence of human activity, such as structures or hearths, whereas artifacts are portable objects like tools or pottery. This distinction is important because features provide insight into the spatial organization and functional areas of a site. By analyzing features, archaeologists can understand how spaces were used in daily life and what activities took place there, which helps reconstruct a more comprehensive picture of past cultures.
• Discuss the role of stratigraphy in understanding features at an archaeological site.
  • Stratigraphy plays a vital role in understanding features because it involves studying the layers of soil and sediment where features are located. By examining these layers, archaeologists can establish the chronological order of features and determine their relative ages. This helps in identifying patterns of use or modification over time, allowing for a deeper comprehension of how human activities evolved within a particular space.
• Evaluate the significance of site formation processes in interpreting features found at archaeological sites.
  • Site formation processes are significant because they influence how features are created, altered, and preserved over time. Understanding these processes helps archaeologists interpret the context of features accurately. For example, natural events like erosion or human activities such as construction can affect the visibility and condition of features. By considering these factors, archaeologists can draw more reliable conclusions about the social and cultural dynamics that shaped a site throughout its history.

Related terms

Artifact: An object made or used by humans, typically portable, which provides information about past cultures and their practices.

Stratigraphy:

The study of rock layers (strata) and layering in archaeology, which helps establish the chronological sequence of events and features at a site.

Site Formation Processes: The natural and cultural processes that affect how archaeological sites are created, modified, and preserved over time.