Context Sheets

Definition

Context sheets are detailed documents that provide essential information about specific artifacts, features, or contexts discovered during archaeological excavations. They play a crucial role in site mapping and documentation by capturing data such as the location, stratigraphy, associations, and the circumstances surrounding the discovery of each item. This helps in understanding the broader context of the archaeological site and contributes to accurate interpretation and analysis of the findings.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Context sheets often include information about the stratigraphic layer from which an artifact is retrieved, helping to place it within a historical timeline.
2. These sheets help document associations between different artifacts and features, providing insights into how they were used together in past human activities.
3. Context sheets serve as a crucial reference for future researchers by ensuring that detailed records are maintained for each find.
4. They typically include sketches or photographs of the find location, enhancing visual documentation alongside written descriptions.
5. The proper use of context sheets can significantly improve the quality of data analysis and interpretation, leading to more reliable conclusions about past cultures.

Review Questions

• How do context sheets enhance the understanding of archaeological findings?
  • Context sheets enhance the understanding of archaeological findings by providing comprehensive details about each artifact's location, associated features, and the stratigraphic context from which it was recovered. By documenting these aspects meticulously, archaeologists can draw connections between different finds, analyze patterns of usage, and better interpret the cultural significance of the artifacts. This systematic approach helps in reconstructing past human behaviors and interactions within a site.
• What specific information is typically recorded on a context sheet, and why is each piece important?
  • A context sheet typically records information such as the artifact's provenience, associated artifacts, stratigraphic layer details, and any relevant environmental conditions at the time of discovery. Each piece of information is important because it helps establish a clearer picture of how artifacts were used and interacted with their surroundings. Provenience links artifacts to specific locations within a site, while details about associations and stratigraphy inform researchers about cultural practices and chronological sequences.
• Evaluate how the implementation of context sheets has changed archaeological practices over time.
  • The implementation of context sheets has revolutionized archaeological practices by promoting rigorous documentation standards that were not consistently applied in earlier excavations. This shift towards systematic recording has improved data reliability and allows for more precise analysis of finds across different sites. Moreover, context sheets facilitate collaboration among archaeologists by providing a shared framework for understanding artifacts' significance, enabling researchers to build on each other's work and advance the field as a whole.

Related terms

Stratigraphy: The study of rock layers (strata) and layering (stratification) that provides insight into the chronological sequence of deposition and can help establish the context of artifacts.

Artifact: Any object made or used by humans that is recovered during an archaeological excavation, serving as evidence of past human activity.

Provenience: The exact location where an artifact or feature was found, including its horizontal and vertical position within a site, which is vital for understanding its context.