Arbitrary Levels

Definition

Arbitrary levels refer to the practice in archaeology of dividing excavation sites into predetermined, standardized units or layers, regardless of the actual cultural or natural stratigraphy present. This approach allows for systematic data collection and analysis, but may not accurately reflect the true depositional history of a site.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Arbitrary levels are commonly used in archaeological excavations to maintain consistency and facilitate data collection, even when the actual stratigraphy is more complex.
2. The use of arbitrary levels can sometimes obscure or oversimplify the true depositional history of a site, leading to a loss of important contextual information.
3. Archaeologists must balance the need for systematic data collection with the recognition that arbitrary levels may not always accurately represent the cultural and natural processes that shaped the site.
4. The depth of arbitrary levels is typically determined based on factors such as the anticipated depth of cultural deposits, the size of the excavation area, and the desired level of resolution for the analysis.
5. Careful observation and documentation of the actual stratigraphy, in addition to the use of arbitrary levels, is crucial for understanding the site's formation processes and interpreting the archaeological record.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and rationale behind the use of arbitrary levels in archaeological excavations.
  • The use of arbitrary levels in archaeological excavations serves to maintain consistency and facilitate systematic data collection across a site. By dividing the excavation area into predetermined, standardized units or layers, archaeologists can ensure that the excavation and recording process is uniform and comparable across different areas of the site. This approach allows for more efficient and organized data management, as well as the ability to make broader comparisons between different parts of the site or between multiple sites. However, the use of arbitrary levels may not always accurately reflect the true depositional history and cultural stratigraphy present, potentially leading to a loss of important contextual information.
• Describe how the use of arbitrary levels can both benefit and hinder the interpretation of archaeological sites.
  • The use of arbitrary levels in archaeological excavations can provide both benefits and challenges in the interpretation of archaeological sites. On the positive side, arbitrary levels allow for systematic data collection, facilitating the organization and analysis of the excavated materials. This standardized approach enables archaeologists to make comparisons across different areas of a site and between multiple sites. However, the use of arbitrary levels can also obscure the true depositional history and cultural stratigraphy of a site. By dividing the excavation into predetermined units, archaeologists may miss important contextual information and fail to fully capture the complex processes that shaped the site over time. To mitigate this issue, archaeologists must carefully document the actual stratigraphy observed during the excavation and integrate this information with the data collected from the arbitrary levels to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the site's formation and occupation.
• Evaluate the potential trade-offs between the use of arbitrary levels and the need to accurately represent the cultural and natural stratigraphy of an archaeological site.
  • The use of arbitrary levels in archaeological excavations involves a trade-off between the benefits of systematic data collection and the need to accurately represent the cultural and natural stratigraphy of a site. On one hand, arbitrary levels allow for consistent and efficient excavation and recording practices, facilitating the organization and analysis of the collected data. This standardized approach enables archaeologists to make broader comparisons between different areas of a site and across multiple sites. However, the use of arbitrary levels may not always align with the true depositional history and layering of cultural and natural deposits. By imposing a predetermined grid or layer system, archaeologists risk oversimplifying or obscuring the complex processes that shaped the site over time. To address this challenge, archaeologists must carefully balance the need for systematic data collection with the recognition that the actual stratigraphy may be more nuanced and variable than the arbitrary levels suggest. This may involve supplementing the use of arbitrary levels with detailed observations and documentation of the site's natural and cultural stratigraphy, as well as the integration of multiple lines of evidence to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the site's formation and occupation.

Related terms

Stratigraphy:

The study of the layers or strata of soil and sediment that have accumulated over time, providing information about the site's history and formation processes.

Excavation Unit: A standardized area or volume within an archaeological site that is systematically excavated and recorded, often in the form of a grid or other geometric pattern.

Cultural Stratigraphy: The layering of human-made deposits and features within an archaeological site, reflecting the site's occupation and use over time.