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Learning Intentions: To understand the methods used by archaeologists in the field and dating methods
Learning Intentions: To understand the methods used by archaeologists in the field and dating methods
Success Criteria: To draw a flow chart that shows the order and processes of activities that happened on a dig.
Success Criteria: To draw a flow chart that shows the order and processes of activities that happened on a dig.
To be able to explain a variety of scientific and relative dating techniques.
This lessons is about the the methods and processes used during an archaeological dig and the reasons . As we go through the chronological steps in the excavation process, draw a flow chart similar to the one above to summarise the most important steps and reasons behind it.
This type of meticulous fieldwork prepares archaeologists for planned excavations. The science behind archaeological method has changed and improved over time. Technological developments has certainly played a huge factor. Not all excavations are planned; there are also accidental excavations and rescue excavations. Some of the greatest archaeological finds are simply fortunate discoveries. In 1940, four French schoolboys found themselves in a chamber ornamented in Upper Paleolithic masterpieces. They had simply been exploring a tunnel exposed by an uprooted tree. In 1947, a Bedouin shepherd discovered the first Dead Sea Scrolls, the earliest copies of any Biblical books, while searching for a stray animal.
Sometimes, accidental finds become rescue excavations. Construction projects often unearth archeological sites that must be explored and recorded quickly so that business can continue. When a city has as many layers of history as Rome, archeological finds are inevitable; every request for a building permit -- all 13,000 annually -- requires an archaeological evaluation [source: National Geographic]. Sometimes such thoroughness can cripple a city. Rome struggles to meet the demands of its 2.8 million citizens while preserving its history [source: U.S. Department of State].
But because excavation inherently destroys a site, an archaeologist must record the placement of every artifact. This record ultimately becomes a primary source for other archaeologists and historians to consult since the actual primary source -- the site itself -- no longer exists in its original form. The archaeologist also brings in experts from other disciplines like geology or metallurgy to help analyze the finds.
The first step in an archaeological excavation is surveying the area. This can be done either with remote sensing or direct visual observation. Archaeologists also use non-invasive techniques to survey sites known as remote sensing. There are many methods including aerial photography which is simply taking pictures from an airplane, hot air balloon or even a remote controlled drone; ground penetrating radar which is used to locate artifacts hidden below ground, and LIDAR, which uses lasers to scan the surface from the air through vegetation.
Lidar images are used to identify what lies beneath vegetation and trees.
How do archaeologists know where to dig?
After archaeologists have thoroughly surveyed the site they begin excavation. They start by setting up a grid and connecting the grid to a datum. The next step is to dig several test pits. Test pits are a small hole dug to determine the location, density and spread of artifacts.
What is the Wheeler Kenyon method?
Why is a popular system of excavating?
What is a baulk?
What are the advantages of digging in the box grid method? Think of 3 advantages
What are the advantages of digging in the box grid method? Think of 3 advantages
What might be a disadvantage of digging in the method?
What might be a disadvantage of digging in the method?
Then archaeologists excavate the site using trowels, shovels, and various other tools. They carefully remove dirt and note the precise location of any artifacts found. The context of the artifact is just as important as the artifact itself, so the artifacts are always carefully mapped and documented.
The dirt removed from the site is screened to search for any small artifacts that may have been missed during the initial excavation.
Watch the clip.
Write down 3 important things about the excavation methods.
What did you learn about excavation techniques? Do and don'ts?
Why don't you remove the objects while you dig?
This is important, remember this lesson as you will be working on our school dig so you need to know how to do this right.
Archaeologists also look for features while excavating a site. A feature is evidence of a human activity that is not movable, and usually has a vertical component. An aspect of a site that is only horizontal, such as a road, is not a feature. An example is a frequently used fire ring will leave evidence behind in the soil, but it cannot be moved with the occupants.
Fire circles evidenced in soil colour
Watch this clip and learn about what an archaeological dig looks like and the sorts of things that are important on a dig.
After archaeologists have excavated the site completely, or to the extent the project planned, they fill the site back in and take the artifacts to be analyzed. The artifacts are taken to a lab, either locally or at the archaeologist’s home institution. They are analyzed in the lab and classified based on the research questions of the archaeologist.
Conservation process. What kind of intervention has the conservator utilsed on this artefact on the left?
What might be the problems they might face when processing artefacts such as this/
What are the conventions of conservation?
The artifacts are grouped with other artifacts of the same type. A type can be based on a variety of characteristics such as function or style.
Archaeologists also try to determine how old artifacts are. This can be done relative to other artifacts using stratigraphy-the idea that older artifacts are below newer ones. You can see in the following picture how the archaeologist has labelled features within the wall they have excavated.
Use the following example below and analyse the different layers.
Write what you can see that indicates the level of technology in each layer.
Which layers provide knowledge about beliefs?
Which layers give information about historical events?
Write a narrative about the history of the site through analysing the artifacts. Start from earliest times and finish in the latest history.
What can you observe in this example of a stratographic cross section?
How important is stratigraphy for the archaeologist
Click this link to learn more. Do the activities.
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