Transcript CONDUCTING A “DIG”

ARCHAEOLOGY
Archaeology Introduction
• What kind of discipline is Archaeology :
– It is a science…why?
• Careful, logical examination that follows specific processes in
an attempt to validate or negate an hypothesis .
– Definition: Attempt to rebuild the history of an area
through its artifacts.
• Artifact: Anything made by humans. Examples: tools,
buildings, inscriptions.
ARCHAEOLOGY
Introduction
• Who is the Archaeologist:
– The scientist attempting to prove or disprove an
hypothesis.
• The archaeologist is also a kind of historian.
• He/She is a vital resource for other historians.
– What they discover helps historians write histories.
• **Remember the gladiator artifact from the article
Archaeology Introduction
• Archaeology is a
Science:
ARCHAEOLOGY
Types
– Anthropological: Study of Primitive humans and their
material remains. Non-writing cultures.
ARCHAEOLOGY
Types
– Nautical: Undersea archaeology. Special
equipment. Mediterranean and other seas.
ARCHAEOLOGY
Types
– New World: Archaeology conducted in the Americas.
Examples: Native American, Inca, Maya, Aztec.
Mayan Temple
Aztec Calendar
ARCHAEOLOGY
Types
– Old World: Archaeology conducted in Europe.
Examples: Viking, British, Celtic.
Celtic Beehive Hut, Ireland
Viking animal head
Celtic Tombstone
ARCHAEOLOGY
Introduction
– Classical: The archaeology of the great civilizations:
Egypt, Greece, Rome, Middle East.
Charioteer of Delphi, 6th century
BC
Roman Road
Fallen Warrior, 5th
century BC
CONDUCTING A “DIG”
Dig=Excavation
Excavation: Process of digging up an
archaeological site.
#1 rule: “All excavation is destruction”
CONDUCTING A “DIG”
STEP 1: Choice of a
Site:
•
Research
•
“Surface Survey”:
walk the land.
•
Obtain
permission/permits
to dig.
CONDUCTING A “DIG”
Step 2: Obtain Funding:
• Universities
• Museums
• Private donations
CONDUCTING A “DIG”
Step 3: Tools:
• Pick
• Shovel
• Trowel/Spade
• Toothbrush
• Dental Picks
CONDUCTING A “DIG”
Step 4: Obtain Workers:
Some will be paid, some volunteers
Foreman: directs work parties.
Knowledgeable.
Work Parties: Each consists of:
-experienced
-laborers
CONDUCTING A “DIG”
….Other workers:
-Specialists:
Architect
Epigraphist
Botanist
Surveyor
Artist
Photographer
Anthropologist
CONDUCTING A “DIG”
At the Site:
Step 5: Goal Year 1:
determine # of levels of
occupation. Step Trench
Step 6: Map entire site and
“grid” it.
Step 7: Trench the site. Line
drawn across site and
workers cut into soil until
the bottom of newest
level is reached.
CONDUCTING A “DIG”
Step 8: teams work in a 3-5
meter grid. Each section
of grid is numbered and
lettered.
Step 9: Each work group
digs their section, labeling
all finds as to where
found and on what level.
Drawn/photo.
In-situ: location where an
artifact was discovered
Balks: Areas not excavated
in order to preserve
strata.
CONDUCTING A “DIG”
Step 10: After each day, all finds are looked
over and catalogued.
Yearly Process: After excavating top of
mound to bottom of newest level, continue
with lower levels, one at a time.
CONDUCTING A “DIG”
Most sites are located on mounds (Tells)
-Tell: a mound created by successive occupation of the
same area. New city built on top of old one. Over time a
mound is formed.
There could be numerous occupation levels in a mound
CONDUCTING A “DIG”
• Levels (Strata). Each
period of occupation
is considered a level.
– Uppermost levels are
the latest.
– Lowest levels are the
earliest.
(remember, the new city
is built on top of the
old one)
Step trench