Sieving

Definition

Sieving is a technique used in archaeological research methods to separate and sort materials of different sizes and compositions. It is a crucial step in the excavation and analysis of archaeological sites, as it allows researchers to systematically recover and examine the various artifacts, ecofacts, and other remains found at a site.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sieving is a crucial step in the recovery and analysis of archaeological materials, as it allows researchers to systematically collect and examine the various artifacts, ecofacts, and other remains found at a site.
2. The size of the mesh used in the sieve determines the size of the materials that will be retained, allowing researchers to focus on specific size fractions of interest.
3. Wet sieving is often used to recover smaller and more fragile materials, such as seeds and charcoal, that may be missed or damaged during dry sieving.
4. Dry sieving is more commonly used for larger and more robust materials, such as pottery shards and lithic artifacts, and can be performed on-site during the excavation process.
5. The choice between wet and dry sieving methods depends on the research questions, the nature of the archaeological site, and the types of materials being recovered.

Review Questions

• Explain the purpose of sieving in archaeological research methods and how it contributes to the recovery and analysis of archaeological materials.
  • The purpose of sieving in archaeological research methods is to systematically recover and sort the various artifacts, ecofacts, and other remains found at an archaeological site. By passing the excavated soil or sediment through a series of sieves with different mesh sizes, researchers can separate and collect materials of different sizes and compositions, which are then analyzed to provide insights into the site's history, activities, and environmental conditions. Sieving allows for the recovery of both large and small materials, including fragile or easily overlooked items, which are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the archaeological record.
• Compare and contrast the use of wet sieving and dry sieving in archaeological research, and explain the factors that influence the choice between these two methods.
  • Wet sieving and dry sieving are two distinct methods used in archaeological research. Wet sieving involves mixing the soil or sediment with water and passing it through a series of sieves, allowing the finer particles to be washed away while the larger materials are retained. This method is often used to recover smaller and more fragile materials, such as seeds and charcoal, which may be missed or damaged during dry sieving. Dry sieving, on the other hand, involves passing the soil or sediment through a series of sieves without the use of water, relying on the physical separation of materials based on their size. Dry sieving is more commonly used for larger and more robust materials, such as pottery shards and lithic artifacts, and can be performed on-site during the excavation process. The choice between wet and dry sieving methods depends on the research questions, the nature of the archaeological site, and the types of materials being recovered.
• Analyze the role of sieving in the broader context of archaeological research methods and how it contributes to the understanding of past human societies and their environments.
  • Sieving is a crucial component of the broader archaeological research methods, as it allows researchers to systematically recover and analyze the various materials found at an archaeological site. By separating and sorting these materials based on their size and composition, sieving provides a wealth of information about the past human activities, subsistence strategies, and environmental conditions that shaped the site. The data obtained through sieving can be used to reconstruct the site's chronology, identify patterns of resource use and disposal, and gain insights into the daily lives and cultural practices of the people who inhabited the site. Moreover, the recovery of smaller and more fragile materials, such as seeds and charcoal, can provide valuable information about the local and regional environment, which in turn can shed light on the adaptations and strategies employed by past human societies. Ultimately, sieving is a fundamental tool that enables archaeologists to build a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the past, contributing to our knowledge of human history and the evolution of human-environment interactions.

Related terms

Flotation: A technique used to separate lighter organic materials, such as seeds and charcoal, from the soil matrix by suspending them in water and allowing them to float to the surface for collection.

Wet Sieving: A sieving method where the soil or sediment is mixed with water and then passed through a series of sieves, allowing the finer particles to be washed away while the larger materials are retained.

Dry Sieving: A sieving method where the soil or sediment is passed through a series of sieves without the use of water, relying on the physical separation of materials based on their size.