Excavation

Definition

Excavation is the systematic process of uncovering and documenting archaeological sites by removing soil and other materials to reveal artifacts, features, and ecofacts. This process plays a critical role in understanding past human activities and cultural contexts, as it allows archaeologists to piece together historical narratives through physical evidence.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Excavation techniques can vary significantly depending on the site's age, type, and preservation conditions, requiring different methods such as vertical or horizontal excavation.
2. During excavation, careful documentation is crucial; archaeologists record the location of artifacts and features in situ to maintain context for future analysis.
3. Stratified sites can provide layers of history that allow archaeologists to study changes in human behavior, technology, and environment over time.
4. Excavation also involves analyzing not just artifacts but also ecofacts like seeds and animal bones to understand diet and subsistence practices.
5. The excavation process can reveal insights into social structures, trade networks, and cultural practices through the spatial organization of artifacts and features.

Review Questions

• How does the method of excavation help reveal information about the stratigraphy of an archaeological site?
  • Excavation allows archaeologists to systematically uncover different layers of soil and materials that make up a site, known as stratigraphy. By carefully documenting the order in which these layers are removed, archaeologists can establish a timeline of human activity at the site. Each layer represents a different period or event in the site's history, helping researchers understand how cultures evolved over time.
• Discuss the significance of proper documentation during excavation and its impact on interpreting archaeological findings.
  • Proper documentation during excavation is essential because it ensures that all findings are recorded accurately in their original context. This includes detailed notes on the location and depth of each artifact and feature uncovered. Without this meticulous record-keeping, the interpretation of the findings could be flawed or incomplete. Good documentation allows archaeologists to reconstruct past behaviors, social interactions, and environmental changes effectively.
• Evaluate how excavation contributes to our understanding of social stratification within colonial plantation societies.
  • Excavation provides valuable insights into social stratification by revealing how artifacts and spatial organization reflect the social hierarchy within colonial plantation societies. For instance, the distribution of luxury items versus everyday tools can indicate class distinctions among different groups. Furthermore, excavated structures, such as separate quarters for enslaved individuals versus plantation owners' homes, highlight differences in living conditions and power dynamics. By analyzing these findings, researchers can better understand the complexities of social relationships within these communities.

Related terms

Stratigraphy: Stratigraphy is the study of rock layers (strata) and layering (sedimentation), which helps archaeologists understand the chronological sequence of artifacts and features found during excavation.

Site Survey: A site survey is a preliminary investigation of an archaeological site that involves mapping and assessing surface artifacts and features before excavation begins.

Artifact: An artifact is any portable object made or used by humans, such as tools, pottery, or jewelry, that can provide insights into past cultures and societies.