Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary initial goal of excavations before the Second World War?
What was the primary initial goal of excavations before the Second World War?
- To retrieve objects for museum exhibitions and private collections (correct)
- To analyze soil stratigraphy
- To reconstruct and understand past societies
- To document sites endangered by construction
After the Second World War, what did the emphasis of excavations shift towards?
After the Second World War, what did the emphasis of excavations shift towards?
- Documenting endangered sites
- Retrieving valuable artifacts
- Collecting historical documents
- Reconstructing and understanding past societies (correct)
What is the main purpose of research excavations?
What is the main purpose of research excavations?
- To close a gap in our knowledge or to solve specific problems (correct)
- To loot valuable artifacts before they are destroyed
- To secure funding for archaeological projects
- To document sites endangered by construction work
Which of the following describes a rescue excavation?
Which of the following describes a rescue excavation?
Destroying a site to excavate it has no negative impact if the uncovered artifacts are well-preserved.
Destroying a site to excavate it has no negative impact if the uncovered artifacts are well-preserved.
A site can be excavated multiple times to gather new information as methods and technologies improve.
A site can be excavated multiple times to gather new information as methods and technologies improve.
Why is detailed documentation essential during an excavation?
Why is detailed documentation essential during an excavation?
Which of the following is NOT a part of pre-excavation planning?
Which of the following is NOT a part of pre-excavation planning?
What type of system is established on a site to accurately locate excavation areas?
What type of system is established on a site to accurately locate excavation areas?
There is a uniform methodology that applies to all excavations regardless of location, nature, or purpose.
There is a uniform methodology that applies to all excavations regardless of location, nature, or purpose.
What factors influence the methods applied during an excavation?
What factors influence the methods applied during an excavation?
Why are excavation areas typically square or rectangular?
Why are excavation areas typically square or rectangular?
What are 'balks' in the context of an excavation?
What are 'balks' in the context of an excavation?
The study of layers exposed in the balks is called ______.
The study of layers exposed in the balks is called ______.
In modern excavation practices, what is considered the most important goal?
In modern excavation practices, what is considered the most important goal?
As documentation is vital, today excavation proceeds slowly, with small teams.
As documentation is vital, today excavation proceeds slowly, with small teams.
Which of the following is an example of documentation that takes place during an excavation?
Which of the following is an example of documentation that takes place during an excavation?
Besides photographs, what are two other types of documentation commonly created during an excavation?
Besides photographs, what are two other types of documentation commonly created during an excavation?
Match the following excavation phases with their description:
Match the following excavation phases with their description:
How are stratigraphic sequences used in the analysis of an excavation?
How are stratigraphic sequences used in the analysis of an excavation?
Flashcards
Excavation Goals
Excavation Goals
The main goals of excavations have shifted from retrieving objects for exhibitions to reconstructing and understanding past societies, especially after World War II.
Research Excavations
Research Excavations
Excavations planned to fill knowledge gaps or solve specific research questions.
Rescue Excavations
Rescue Excavations
Excavations focused on documenting sites threatened by construction, agriculture, flooding, or looting.
Excavation Documentation
Excavation Documentation
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Pre-Excavation Planning
Pre-Excavation Planning
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Excavation Process
Excavation Process
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Excavation Documentation
Excavation Documentation
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Study Notes
- Excavations encompass the aims and methods used during the process.
Aims of an Excavation
- Excavation goals have shifted significantly in the last 50 years.
- Earlier excavations were primarily focused on finding objects for museum exhibits and private collections.
- After World War II, focus changed to reconstructing and understanding societies of the past.
Types of Excavations
- Two main types of excavations exist today:
- Research excavations are planned to fill gaps in knowledge or address specific questions.
- Rescue excavations involve documenting sites threatened by construction, agriculture, flooding, or looting.
Excavation Considerations
- A site can only be excavated once, because it destroys the original state.
- Every excavation effectively results in a form of destruction.
- Detailed documentation through descriptions, drawings, photos, and digital databases is crucial for allowing the process to be reconstructed for future research and publications.
Pre-Excavation Planning
- Obtaining excavation permits before starting the excavation.
- Securing funds to cover the expenses incurred during the excavation.
- Gathering information about the site, which may include surveys, previous excavations, and historical documents, is essential.
- Planning for the excavation should include anticipating the length of time, the size of the team, and equipment needs.
- A detailed plan of the site should be obtained and a grid system established to locate excavation areaas on the general plan and topography of the site.
Different Kinds of Excavations
- There isn't a standard procedure for conducting excavations.
- Applied excavation methods depend on:
- Available funding
- Research strategies
- Site characteristics
- Time available
- Manpower
The Excavation Process
- Excavation areas are usually square or rectangular to ease measurement.
- Balks, or strips of unexcavated soil, are left between the areas so layers can be studied in stratigraphy.
The Process of Excavation
- Various tools can be used during the excavation ranging from bulldozers to dental tools, depending on the site.
- Modern excavations use smaller teams, usually composed of a supervisor, assistants (1-2), and workers (3-4).
- Team sizes were larger in earlier excavations with fewer staff, which often resulted in inadequate recording of the finds.
- Excavations today focus on documentation and proceed slowly and systematically with small teams.
Documentation
- Excavation processes should be recorded with:
- Photographs
- Drawings of plans and sections
- Descriptions of features, artifacts, layers, etc.
Final Result
- The excavation and the analysis of stratigraphy is a long process.
- That process will eventually lead to the publication of excavation results.
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