Unit 2
Recovering Archaeological Data

Overview

Fieldwork can be an interesting and challenging aspect of archaeology, but it also requires a great deal of planning. The research plan, which is often based on local and regional surveys, ascertains the scope and nature of the archaeological record. Excavation techniques are chosen to maximize the recovery of pertinent data. This unit describes the techniques and methods used in non-invasive archaeology and in excavation archaeology.

2.1 Non-invasive Archaeology

Introduction

As far as most laypeople are concerned, trowelling away in a two-by-two metre square counts as fieldwork. But excavation is neither the first nor the only step in the research process. Indeed, as Thomas and Kelly point out, it is not even a necessary step. First, surveys must be done in order to locate suitable sites. This work generally involves looking for surface remains, testing subsurface deposits, or using non-invasive sensing techniques. Once a likely site is located, non-invasive techniques may still be used to identify buried archaeological features without the time, expense, or destruction of excavation. This section discusses some of the techniques used to uncover archaeological data without excavation.

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

1. define the phrase, “the fallacy of the typical site.”
2. define the terms “plow zone,” “transect sampling,” and “quadrat sampling.”
3. describe how a sampling strategy can be applied to both a region and a site.
4. explain how a sampling strategy is tailored to suit both the goal of the archaeological survey and the topography of the area.
5. identify tools and techniques of remote sensing, including proton precession magnetometer, soil resistivity, ground-penetrating radar, aerial photography, and the satellite imagery used in GIS programs.
6. list the advantages and limitations of non-invasive archaeology.
7. list the advantages of full-coverage survey.
8. describe the roles that amateurs rather than professional archaeologists may be able to play.

2.2 Excavation

Introduction

Excavation is by far the most widely known aspect of archaeology. This section presents the basic techniques and standards of excavation.

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

1. describe the difference in the archaeological objectives of horizontal and vertical excavation strategies.
2. describe the excavation strategies and techniques associated with horizontal and vertical excavations.
3. identify the purposes of the various controls used in excavation including grid system, master profile, datum point, features, arbitrary level, transit, and stadia rod.
4. describe the methods, purposes, and goals of sifting and flotation.
5. describe the meaning and significance of in situ.
6. list the essential elements to include in field-note records.
7. describe how the McIntyre site had been altered prior to the excavations.
8. evaluate the excavation strategy at the McIntyre site.
9. identify factors responsible for differential preservation of material remains, and explain how preservation influences excavation procedures.