Stratigraphy

Definition

Stratigraphy is the study of the layers or strata of soil, sediment, and rock that have accumulated over time, providing a chronological record of past events, environments, and human activities. It is a fundamental technique in archaeology used to understand the sequence and context of archaeological deposits.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Stratigraphy allows archaeologists to establish the relative chronology of archaeological sites and artifacts, determining which deposits and features are older or younger than others.
2. The principle of superposition states that in an undisturbed sequence of layers, the older deposits will be found at the bottom, with younger deposits overlying them.
3. Analyzing the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the depositional environment can provide insights into past climates, landscapes, and human activities.
4. Stratigraphic excavation techniques, such as careful removal of layers and recording the spatial relationships between artifacts and features, are crucial for preserving the contextual information of archaeological sites.
5. Stratigraphy is often combined with other dating methods, such as radiocarbon dating, to establish the absolute chronology of archaeological sites and deposits.

Review Questions

• Explain how the principle of superposition is used in archaeological stratigraphy to determine the relative chronology of deposits.
  • The principle of superposition states that in an undisturbed sequence of layers, the older deposits will be found at the bottom, with younger deposits overlying them. This allows archaeologists to establish the relative chronology of archaeological sites and artifacts by analyzing the vertical sequence of layers and the spatial relationships between the artifacts and features found within them. By understanding the order in which the layers were deposited, archaeologists can infer the relative age of the materials and reconstruct the sequence of past events and activities at the site.
• Describe how the analysis of depositional environments can provide insights into past climates, landscapes, and human activities in archaeological research.
  • The physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the depositional environment in which archaeological deposits form can offer valuable clues about past climates, landscapes, and human activities. For example, the presence of certain sediment types, organic remains, or evidence of human-made features can indicate the type of environment (e.g., riverine, lacustrine, aeolian) in which the deposits accumulated. This information can then be used to reconstruct past environmental conditions and how they may have influenced human settlement, subsistence, and other activities. By analyzing the depositional environment, archaeologists can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the broader context in which the archaeological materials were produced and preserved.
• Evaluate the importance of stratigraphic excavation techniques in preserving the contextual information of archaeological sites and how this information can be used to draw conclusions about past human behavior and lifeways.
  • Stratigraphic excavation techniques, such as the careful removal of layers and the meticulous recording of the spatial relationships between artifacts and features, are crucial for preserving the contextual information of archaeological sites. This contextual information is essential for understanding the sequence of past events, the activities that took place, and the broader cultural and environmental contexts in which they occurred. By maintaining the integrity of the stratigraphic sequence and the associations between artifacts, ecofacts, and features, archaeologists can make more informed interpretations about past human behavior, subsistence strategies, social organization, and other aspects of lifeways. The contextual information provided by stratigraphy allows archaeologists to move beyond simply cataloging artifacts and instead reconstruct the dynamic processes and interactions that shaped the archaeological record. This holistic approach to understanding the past is a fundamental aspect of archaeological research and analysis.

Related terms

Stratigraphic Sequence: The ordered layers of soil, sediment, and other deposits that have accumulated over time, forming a vertical record of past events and environments.

Superposition: The principle that in an undisturbed sequence of layers, the older deposits will be found at the bottom, with younger deposits overlying them.

Depositional Environment: The physical, chemical, and biological conditions that influence the formation and preservation of archaeological deposits, such as rivers, lakes, aeolian (wind-blown), or anthropogenic (human-made) environments.