Screening

Definition

Screening is a methodological approach in archaeology that involves the systematic examination and separation of archaeological materials, such as soil, sediments, or artifacts, through the use of screens or sieves. This process helps researchers identify and recover smaller or more fragile objects that may have been overlooked during the initial excavation or recovery process.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Screening is a crucial step in the archaeological excavation process, as it allows researchers to recover small and fragile artifacts that may have been overlooked during the initial recovery efforts.
2. The size of the mesh or screen used during the screening process can be adjusted to target specific types of materials, such as larger artifacts or smaller ecofacts and microfossils.
3. Screening can be done either dry or wet, with wet screening often being more effective in recovering smaller and more delicate remains.
4. Flotation is a specialized screening technique that uses water to separate and recover lightweight organic materials, such as seeds and charcoal, from the heavier soil or sediment.
5. The results of the screening process can provide valuable information about the types of activities that took place at an archaeological site, as well as the overall preservation and taphonomic processes that have affected the site over time.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose and importance of the screening process in archaeological research methods.
  • The screening process in archaeological research methods is essential for recovering small and fragile artifacts, ecofacts, and other remains that may have been overlooked during the initial excavation or recovery efforts. By passing the excavated materials through a series of screens or sieves, researchers can systematically examine and separate the contents, allowing them to identify and collect items that may provide valuable information about the activities, subsistence strategies, and taphonomic processes that have affected the site over time. The screening process is crucial for ensuring that the archaeological record is as complete and representative as possible, and it helps to enhance the overall quality and reliability of the data collected during the excavation.
• Describe the different techniques used in the screening process, such as dry screening, wet screening, and flotation, and explain how each method contributes to the recovery and analysis of archaeological materials.
  • The screening process in archaeological research methods can be carried out using a variety of techniques, each of which serves a specific purpose and contributes to the recovery and analysis of archaeological materials. Dry screening involves passing the excavated materials through a series of screens or sieves, relying on the force of gravity and manual agitation to separate the contents. Wet screening, on the other hand, utilizes water to help break down and separate the soil or sediment, allowing for the recovery of smaller and more delicate remains that may have been missed during dry screening. Flotation is a specialized technique that uses water to separate and recover lightweight organic materials, such as seeds and charcoal, from the heavier soil or sediment. Each of these methods has its own strengths and limitations, and researchers often employ a combination of techniques to ensure that the full range of archaeological materials is recovered and analyzed.
• Analyze how the results of the screening process can inform our understanding of the activities, subsistence strategies, and taphonomic processes that have affected an archaeological site over time.
  • The results of the screening process in archaeological research methods can provide valuable insights into the activities, subsistence strategies, and taphonomic processes that have affected an archaeological site over time. By recovering a diverse range of artifacts, ecofacts, and other remains through the systematic examination and separation of the excavated materials, researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the types of activities that took place at the site, the resources that were exploited, and the ways in which the site has been impacted by natural and cultural processes over time. The presence and distribution of specific types of materials, such as seeds, charcoal, and microfossils, can shed light on the subsistence strategies and environmental conditions that prevailed at the site, while the condition and preservation of the recovered materials can inform our understanding of the taphonomic processes that have affected the site, such as erosion, bioturbation, and human disturbance. By carefully analyzing the results of the screening process, archaeologists can piece together a more nuanced and accurate picture of the past, which can then inform their interpretations and contribute to our broader understanding of human history and cultural development.

Related terms

Sieving: The process of passing archaeological materials through a series of screens or sieves to separate and recover artifacts, ecofacts, and other small-scale remains.

Flotation: A technique used to recover small, lightweight archaeological materials, such as seeds, charcoal, and other organic remains, by suspending them in water and separating them from the heavier soil or sediment.

Wet Screening: A method of screening that involves the use of water to help break down and separate the soil or sediment, allowing for the recovery of smaller artifacts and ecofacts that may have been missed during dry screening.