Horizontal excavation is an archaeological method focused on uncovering a site layer by layer, aiming to expose a wide area of the site at a single level rather than digging deeply into the ground. This technique allows archaeologists to understand the spatial relationships and context of artifacts and features within a specific time period, enhancing the analysis of stratigraphy.
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Horizontal excavation is particularly useful in urban archaeology, where understanding the relationships between structures is crucial for interpreting human activity.
This method helps in identifying patterns of use, such as how spaces were arranged or how they functioned within a community.
Excavating horizontally can lead to the discovery of large features like buildings or streets that might not be visible through vertical methods.
Documentation during horizontal excavation is vital, as it involves recording the spatial relationships between finds to create a detailed picture of past human behavior.
While horizontal excavation provides valuable context, it may not reveal deeper chronological sequences compared to vertical excavation methods.
Review Questions
How does horizontal excavation differ from vertical excavation in terms of archaeological goals and outcomes?
Horizontal excavation differs from vertical excavation primarily in its goals and outcomes. While horizontal excavation seeks to expose broad areas at a single level to analyze spatial relationships among artifacts and features, vertical excavation focuses on uncovering deeper layers to establish a chronological sequence of occupation. This means that horizontal excavation often reveals more about the layout and use of a space at a specific time, whereas vertical excavation provides insights into how that space has changed over time.
Discuss the advantages of using horizontal excavation in urban archaeological contexts compared to other methods.
In urban archaeological contexts, horizontal excavation offers several advantages. It allows archaeologists to uncover large features like streets, buildings, and public spaces in their entirety, which is essential for understanding how people interacted with their environment. This method can help identify patterns of activity and social organization within densely populated areas. Additionally, it provides insights into how different time periods are layered within urban settings, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of historical developments.
Evaluate the impact of site formation processes on the results obtained from horizontal excavation techniques.
Site formation processes significantly impact the results obtained from horizontal excavation techniques by influencing how artifacts are distributed and preserved within a site. Natural factors such as erosion, sedimentation, and biological activity can alter the spatial arrangement of artifacts, while cultural processes like construction or destruction can also affect their context. Understanding these processes is crucial for interpreting the findings from horizontal excavations accurately, as they provide insight into not only what was left behind but also how those remains relate to past human activities and environments.
Related terms
stratigraphy: The study of rock layers and layering, used in archaeology to analyze the order and relative position of artifacts and features within a site.
A technique that involves digging deeper into the ground to expose the various layers of soil and artifacts, often used to understand the chronological sequence of occupation at a site.
The natural and cultural processes that affect how archaeological sites are formed and altered over time, influencing the distribution and preservation of artifacts.