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The Site Grid






One of the most important aspects of archaeological recording is the ability to pinpoint and record the locations of objects, particularly the horizontal relationships between artifacts. The most widely used system for doing this within a site is the grid system. In this method, a surveying team lays out a horizontal grid over the site, and stakes with reference numbers are put into the ground at regular intervals. Similar to a grid on a common road map, this pattern provides reference points according to which all future work may be recorded.

The zero datum point establishes a permanent marker for the site to assist future researchers with locating earlier excavations. The elevation of the datum point is also recorded so that vertical measurements may be reconstructed at a later date.

Mapping and Drawing

Laying a grid over the site simplifies the mapping of contours and visible archaeological remains. All important surface features will be plotted and then assembled into a composite map of the site called the site plan. In addition to surface features, the site plan can also contain information about surface collections, remote sensing, and excavation. The site plan will provide a base map with which to work when assessing units to be excavated.

Scaled drawings are regularly drawn to record the characteristics and relationships of deposits. Photographs also accomplish this goal but are not as accurate as measured drawings. The two major types of field drawings are a plan and a profile.

Plans record excavated areas as seen from above. They provide a measured record of the horizontal relationships between parts of an entire excavation unit. Profiles are drawings of stratigraphy along a vertical plane. The four sides of each excavation unit are usually drawn, providing a stratigraphic record of four vertical slices of the site. Be certain to properly label all plan views and profiles with information which includes the site name and number, the date, a title/description, artist's initials, a north arrow, a scale, and a key if necessary.

Stratigraphy

 

The theory of archaeological excavation is relatively logical. It is based on the simple principle that over time, geological strata, such as soils, are deposited one on top of the other. Therefore, the upper layers are those most recently deposited and the bottom layers are those which were deposited first. This principle is referred to as stratification. Archaeological soils and layers are deposited in much the same manner. At London Town, a prime example of soil stratigraphy is the Rumney's cellar hole feature By systematically removing successive layers, the archaeologist can gradually determine how levels were laid down.

Site stratigraphy varies greatly. Houses are built over the ruins of earlier houses Foundations can be constructed on top of older foundations. All can be interspersed with deposits of garbage, the debris of floods and fires, and layers of fill brought in to level the ground. The majority of the areas excavated at London Town do not contain detailed stratigraphy.

Dating

On historic sites, it is often possible to accurately date many of the artifacts recovered during excavation (coins and ceramics are two examples). Thus, the principle of stratification is accompanied by an equally logical idea: each layer must have been deposited after the manufacture date of the most recent artifact in it. If three coins, dating 1720, 1740, and 1755, were found in a layer, the layer obviously could not have been deposited before 1755.

Since diagnostic artifacts are used to determine the date of deposition for a layer, it is essential that materials recovered from each stratum are kept separated. Artifact provenience is very important to the archaeologist. Each layer may relate to a different time period or activity, and the artifacts from that level are used to interpret that layer. Any mixing of later material with that from earlier deposits will completely skew the interpretation of the area.

Artifact Recovery

Recovery of artifacts from a site can occur in several ways. Surface collection of material is sometimes conducted prior to excavations. Once a grid has been established over a site, archaeologists walk along the marked areas collecting artifact and noting provenience.

When excavating a unit, archaeologists slowly scrape away at the soil uncovering cultural material. These artifacts are collected and bagged as they are unearthed In the case of the archaeology at London Town, most of the excavated soils are removed by using a shovel. The plowzone i s removed to a few centimeters above the subsoil. The soil is then put into a screen. Artifacts are recovered as the soil is worked through the 1/4 inch mesh screen by hand.

 

Artifact Bags

All artifacts are put into plastic bags once they are excavated. The bags are labeled with provenience information including site number, unit coordinates, level, date, and excavator's initials.

Keeping the Record

Aside from artifacts and the various samples collected during fieldwork, all evidence and data collected from the work are in the form of verbal descriptions, drawings, or photographs. Remember, when a site is systematically excavated, it is destroyed. The material and relationships which have been in the ground for hundreds of years are reduced to a collection of paper records. Our interpretations of the past will only be as good as the information we have recorded during excavation.

Types of Field Records

- The Unit Notebook is the mainstay of recording. It contains the vast bulk of the information necessary for understanding each unit being excavated. The notebook should contain:

- Daily Notes which provide a daily account of the progress and results of excavation, as well as problems encountered.

- Report Forms which contain all of the information necessary for understanding specific levels and features. These forms contain detailed information including a record of all artifacts found in a given deposit.

- Master Lists of assigned bags, unit numbers, drawing numbers, photographs.

- Excavation Unit Summaries written for each unit at the completion of the field season. They contain brief descriptions of each deposit or layer, a summary of artifacts, conclusions and recommendations.

- Drawings to scale - plan views, profiles and sections.

Daily notes are another important way to record a site. Each archaeologist should keep a daily log which provides a running account of everything he/she is working on in their unit and around the entire site. Daily progress and strategy of excavation should be recorded Important or special finds should also be noted. Detailed notebooks are useful if a question concerning the provenience of an artifact later arises.

Also included in daily notes are weather and work conditions, staff and volunteers present, and sketches and diagrams (not drawn to scale) and personal interpretations of the work being conducted. Each entry should be dated and pages should be numbered. All notes should be written in pencil in legible fashion. Remember, anyone should be able to read your notes and understand what has been taking place in your work area.

 


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