Horizontal excavation

Definition

Horizontal excavation is a method used in archaeology that involves digging in a flat, horizontal plane to expose artifacts and features within a specific layer of soil. This technique is particularly useful for uncovering the spatial relationships between artifacts and structures, providing insight into how people lived, worked, and organized their environments over time. Unlike vertical excavation, which focuses on depth and stratigraphy, horizontal excavation emphasizes the distribution of materials across a given area, allowing archaeologists to create comprehensive site plans and analyze patterns of human behavior.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Horizontal excavation is essential for understanding the layout and organization of archaeological sites, particularly urban settings.
2. This technique often involves the careful removal of soil in squares or grids to document the position of artifacts and features.
3. Horizontal excavation helps to reveal the relationships between different structures and artifacts, which can indicate social organization and usage patterns.
4. It is particularly valuable in studying sites with intact deposits where stratigraphic layers are not heavily disturbed.
5. Documentation during horizontal excavation includes mapping, photography, and detailed notes to ensure accurate interpretation of findings.

Review Questions

• How does horizontal excavation differ from vertical excavation in terms of objectives and methodologies?
  • Horizontal excavation focuses on revealing the layout and relationships between artifacts within a specific layer of soil, while vertical excavation aims to uncover chronological sequences by digging down through strata. The methodologies differ as horizontal excavation involves systematic removal of soil in flat planes, often in grid patterns, allowing for spatial analysis. In contrast, vertical excavation prioritizes depth and stratigraphy to provide insights into historical timelines.
• Discuss the advantages of using horizontal excavation at urban archaeological sites compared to more rural sites.
  • Using horizontal excavation at urban archaeological sites allows archaeologists to uncover complex interactions between different structures, such as residential, commercial, and public spaces. This method reveals how urban populations organized their environments, which is essential for understanding social dynamics in densely populated areas. In contrast, rural sites may benefit more from vertical excavation due to potentially less complicated spatial relationships and a clearer stratigraphic record.
• Evaluate the impact of horizontal excavation on the interpretation of human behavior in past societies, particularly in complex social structures.
  • Horizontal excavation significantly enhances the understanding of human behavior in past societies by providing a clearer picture of how individuals interacted within their environments. By revealing the spatial relationships among artifacts and features, this method allows researchers to analyze patterns of activity, such as trade, communal gatherings, or domestic life in complex social structures. The insights gained from these excavations contribute to broader narratives about cultural practices, social hierarchies, and community organization throughout history.

Related terms

Stratigraphy:

The study of rock layers (strata) and layering (stratification), important for understanding the chronological sequence of artifacts and features at a site.

Site Survey: The process of systematically examining a landscape to identify and document archaeological sites before excavation begins.

Feature:

Non-portable archaeological evidence such as walls, hearths, or pits that provide context to the activities at a site.