Horizontal Excavation

Definition

Horizontal excavation is a technique in archaeology where layers of soil are removed horizontally across a site rather than digging downwards. This method helps researchers uncover large areas of a site at once, providing a broader view of the spatial relationships between artifacts and features. It plays a crucial role in understanding stratigraphy and dating techniques by allowing archaeologists to analyze multiple layers simultaneously.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Horizontal excavation allows for the examination of large areas, helping to visualize the layout of structures or features within a site.
2. This method is particularly useful in urban archaeology where multiple layers of human activity can be analyzed in relation to one another.
3. By using horizontal excavation, archaeologists can better understand the spatial distribution of artifacts and how different activities may have occurred in specific areas.
4. It complements vertical excavation techniques by providing a more comprehensive view of how layers are interconnected horizontally.
5. The results from horizontal excavation can help establish a timeline for occupation and use of a site by correlating artifacts found in proximity.

Review Questions

• How does horizontal excavation enhance our understanding of stratigraphy compared to vertical excavation?
  • Horizontal excavation enhances our understanding of stratigraphy by allowing archaeologists to see the arrangement and relationships between different layers more clearly across a broader area. Unlike vertical excavation, which focuses on depth, horizontal excavation reveals how various features and artifacts interact within the same layer. This method provides a more complete picture of human activities and environmental changes over time, leading to richer interpretations of a site's history.
• Discuss the advantages of using horizontal excavation in urban archaeological sites.
  • Using horizontal excavation in urban archaeological sites offers several advantages, such as revealing the complex layering of human activity that often occurs in these densely populated areas. This approach allows for the mapping of building foundations, streets, and public spaces, which are crucial for understanding past urban life. Additionally, it facilitates the identification of spatial patterns that can indicate social organization, trade practices, and community interactions among inhabitants.
• Evaluate the impact of horizontal excavation findings on dating techniques used in archaeology.
  • Findings from horizontal excavation can significantly impact dating techniques by providing context for artifacts that might otherwise be dated in isolation. When artifacts are found within their horizontal context, it enables archaeologists to correlate them with specific layers or features that may already have relative dates assigned based on stratigraphy. This integrative approach strengthens the accuracy of dating by linking artifacts with known historical events or time periods, thereby enriching our understanding of cultural changes and continuity over time.

Related terms

Stratigraphy:

The study of rock layers (strata) and layering (stratification), which is essential for understanding the chronological sequence of an archaeological site.

Context: The relationship between artifacts, features, and their location in the ground, which helps archaeologists interpret their significance and use.

Dating Techniques: Methods used to determine the age of artifacts and archaeological sites, including relative and absolute dating methods.