ANT 200 Week 3 2 Survey and Excavation with audio

Katie South・2 minutes read

Archaeological sites vary in appearance and size and are located using various methods like remote sensing and direct observation, with excavation involving meticulous techniques to recover and document artifacts accurately and preserve context. Ethical responsibilities in archaeology include limiting damage during excavation, meticulous recording and analysis, and sharing research findings to inform other professionals, emphasizing the importance of careful and accurate methods beyond what is shown in popular media.

Insights

  • Archaeological sites vary in size, appearance, and age, from large Roman sites like Silchester to smaller artifact concentrations, found using remote sensing methods, predictive models, and direct observation techniques.
  • Excavations involve systematic soil removal to expose occupation layers, with meticulous documentation and artifact recovery crucial for reconstructing archaeological activities accurately, emphasizing the ethical responsibilities of limiting damage, preserving context, and sharing research findings.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • How do archaeologists locate sites?

    Through reconnaissance, survey techniques, and predictive models.

  • What methods are used for remote sensing in archaeology?

    Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetometry.

  • How are archaeological features mapped?

    Using Lidar and total stations for accurate data collection.

  • What is the significance of context in archaeology?

    Context provides insights into age, use, and meaning.

  • How do archaeologists document excavation details?

    Through field notes, drawings, plans, and photography.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Discovering and Mapping Archaeological Sites

  • Archaeological sites are geographic locations where cultural material is concentrated, varying in appearance, size, scale, and age.
  • Sites can range from large, like the Roman site in England called Silchester, to small scatters of artifacts concentrated in specific areas.
  • Archeologists find sites through reconnaissance and survey techniques, including predictive models using environmental factors and data from previous site locations.
  • Remote sensing methods, like ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetometry, help detect disturbances without excavation, providing detailed images and data.
  • Lidar, using lasers from aircraft or satellites, maps features on the ground with high detail, aiding in locating archaeological sites under various terrains.
  • Direct observation involves surface inspection, walking transects, and creating site maps to identify artifacts and features on the ground.
  • Site mapping involves creating maps of archaeological features using distance and position locating devices like total stations, aiding in accurate data collection.
  • Shovel test pits (STP) systematically determine the presence of archaeological materials in survey areas by digging holes at intervals, screening soil for artifacts.
  • Excavations involve removing soil systematically to expose occupation layers, marked by changes in soil and material, with spatially controlled grids and units.
  • Materials collected during excavations are crucial, with screening techniques commonly used to ensure all artifacts are recovered and labeled accurately.

19:05

Excavation Methods and Context in Archaeology

  • Excavated soil is sifted through a screen to catch smaller artifacts that may have been missed during digging.
  • All excavated dirt is screened, and the location of each dirt batch is noted for context.
  • Excavations, like at Silchester in England, can vary in size and scale, with horizontal excavations aiming to uncover areas simultaneously to reveal temporal similarities.
  • Horizontal excavations aim to uncover areas in phase to understand architecture and human occupation phases.
  • Vertical excavations involve digging down through human occupation layers to understand chronological and cultural changes.
  • Test pits or units help in understanding the chronology and occupation layers in a specific area.
  • Context in archaeology refers to the location and association of artifacts and the material surrounding them.
  • Objects found in the same context are considered contemporary and used together, providing insights into age, use, and meaning.
  • Prevenience relates to the geographic origin of an artifact, crucial for understanding its primary context.
  • Documentation through field notes and mapping, including using planning frames, is vital to accurately record excavation details and preserve context.

36:34

Archaeological Documentation: Crucial for Accurate Reconstruction

  • Documentation through field notes, drawings, plans, and maps is crucial for reconstructing archaeological activities; meticulous recording allows for accurate reconstruction in the lab or office based on the work of multiple individuals.
  • Photography plays a significant role in archaeological projects, with each level being photographed to track progress; photos include a scale and north arrow for orientation, along with boards providing essential information like site name, date, location, and excavator's initials.
  • Ethical responsibilities in archaeology involve limiting excavation areas to preserve cultural deposits, recording, analyzing, and curating archaeological materials meticulously, with a ratio of one week of excavation requiring one month of analysis, emphasizing the importance of sharing research findings to inform other archaeologists.
  • Excavation is a destructive process, necessitating careful ethical considerations to limit damage, record and preserve findings, and share research outcomes, highlighting the importance of meticulous methods in archaeology beyond the glamorized portrayals in popular media.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.