Horizontal excavation

Definition

Horizontal excavation is an archaeological technique that involves digging laterally across a site to uncover and analyze the distribution of artifacts, features, and structures within a specific stratigraphic layer. This method contrasts with vertical excavation, focusing on exposing a broad area to understand how human activity and cultural practices manifested over time within a particular time frame. It is especially useful for studying site layout, patterns of occupation, and spatial relationships between artifacts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Horizontal excavation allows archaeologists to see how different areas of a site relate to each other spatially, providing insights into community organization and use.
2. This method is particularly valuable in urban archaeology, where understanding the layout of buildings and public spaces is essential for interpreting past societies.
3. Horizontal excavation often involves the use of large excavation units or trenches that can cover significant surface areas while maintaining stratigraphic integrity.
4. Archaeologists must carefully document the location and position of artifacts found during horizontal excavation to maintain accurate contextual information for analysis.
5. This approach can reveal patterns of activity and social organization by examining how different types of artifacts are distributed across the site.

Review Questions

• How does horizontal excavation differ from vertical excavation in terms of its objectives and outcomes?
  • Horizontal excavation focuses on exposing a broad area within a specific stratigraphic layer, aiming to reveal relationships among artifacts, features, and structures. In contrast, vertical excavation seeks to uncover chronological layers of deposits, allowing for a deeper understanding of temporal changes at a site. By prioritizing lateral exposure, horizontal excavation provides insights into spatial organization and community interactions rather than just chronological sequences.
• Discuss the importance of context when conducting horizontal excavations and how it influences the interpretation of findings.
  • Context is crucial in horizontal excavations as it determines how artifacts are related spatially within the site. Understanding context helps archaeologists make informed interpretations about past human activities, social structures, and cultural practices. For instance, analyzing artifact clusters or the arrangement of features can reveal patterns of behavior that indicate how a community was organized or how certain areas were utilized, shaping our understanding of their way of life.
• Evaluate the implications of using horizontal excavation techniques in urban archaeological sites compared to rural sites.
  • Using horizontal excavation techniques in urban archaeological sites allows for a comprehensive understanding of complex spatial relationships and interactions among different structures and activities. This is particularly significant as urban environments often present intricate patterns due to higher population density and diverse functions. Conversely, in rural sites, horizontal excavation may focus more on landscape usage or subsistence activities, where spatial relationships might be less complex but still revealing. Therefore, while both settings benefit from this approach, the nature of findings can significantly differ based on urban versus rural contexts.

Related terms

Stratigraphy:

The study of rock layers and layering (strata), used in archaeology to understand the chronological sequence of human activity through stratified deposits.

Contextual Analysis:

The examination of the relationships between artifacts and features within their physical context to infer their significance and usage in past human behaviors.

Site Formation Processes: The natural and cultural processes that affect the formation and alteration of archaeological sites over time, influencing what remains are preserved.