Site excavation

Definition

Site excavation is the systematic process of uncovering and documenting artifacts, features, and ecofacts in an archaeological site through careful digging and analysis. This practice allows archaeologists to understand past human behavior, cultural practices, and the historical context of a specific location, connecting various elements such as trade, social structures, and material culture.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Site excavation often involves careful planning and methodology to ensure that artifacts are not damaged during the process.
2. Excavations can reveal trade networks by uncovering materials from distant locations that indicate interaction between different cultures.
3. The process helps archaeologists understand the impact of European contact on Native American populations by analyzing settlement patterns and material culture changes.
4. Excavated domestic artifacts shed light on social dynamics and daily life, revealing insights into class structures and household organization.
5. Site excavation contributes to understanding resistance in enslaved communities by identifying material culture that reflects identity, agency, and survival strategies.

Review Questions

• How does site excavation contribute to our understanding of trade networks and inter-tribal relations among Native American populations?
  • Site excavation provides tangible evidence of trade networks through the discovery of non-local artifacts. By analyzing these items, archaeologists can trace their origins and establish connections between different tribes. This information helps illustrate the complexity of inter-tribal relationships, showing how they engaged in commerce and cultural exchange before and after European contact.
• In what ways can site excavation reveal the impact of European contact on Native American populations?
  • Through careful excavation, archaeologists can uncover layers of material culture that reflect changes due to European contact. For instance, the presence of European-made goods alongside traditional Native artifacts indicates shifts in trade practices and adaptations to new technologies. Additionally, changes in settlement patterns revealed during excavations can provide insight into population movements and responses to European colonization.
• Evaluate the significance of site excavation findings in understanding social stratification and neighborhood development in colonial America.
  • Excavation findings are crucial for evaluating social stratification as they reveal differing material wealth through the analysis of domestic artifacts across various neighborhoods. By examining what kinds of goods were present in different households, archaeologists can map out economic disparities and social hierarchies within colonial communities. These insights allow for a deeper understanding of how economic systems influenced neighborhood development, as well as the interactions between diverse social classes during this period.

Related terms

Stratigraphy:

The study of rock layers (strata) to understand the chronological sequence of events in an archaeological site.

Artifact: Any portable object made or used by humans, such as tools, pottery, and other items that provide insight into past societies.

Feature:

Non-portable remnants of past human activity found at archaeological sites, like structures, pits, or hearths.