Archaeology 101

Definitions and Methods

I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
A. Opening Videos
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
A. Opening Videos
B. Definitions
Layer: This designates a level of earth, ashes, stones
or other materials. Successive layers differ in their
appearance and contents and thus can usually be
clearly distinguished.
Floor- A floor is a type of artificial layer
made by beaten earth or paving stones. Each
floor level relates to a building, whether
inside or outside: surfaces of streets and open
spaces can thus be called ‘floors.’ A floor is a
level defined by human use.
Stratum- A stratum is a layer of occupation,
created by the construction of buildings and
their consequent habitation and destruction.
A stratum is thus defined by architecture, and
usually includes different layers from the time
of its construction, continued use and
destruction.
Megiddo - NW
Megiddo - W
Phase- A stratum can be divided into several
phases if the pattern of building and
occupation was altered during its course. A
stratum is usually indicated by Roman
numerals, with phases identified by
additional uppercase letters; but this
convention is not always observed. Building
alteration expansions; part of a phase.
Locus- A locus is a particular area of working,
and its extent is precisely defined, in depth as
well as length and width. All the loci in an
excavation are numbered sequentially.
Find numbers (AKA Basket number)- All finds
are numbered consecutively and registered in
comprehensive list. Through buckets have
now replaced baskets for this purpose,
‘basket number’ as a collective find number
still remains in use. Single irems from these
‘baskets’ can be assigned individual numbers,
e.g. 96/3= ‘sherd 3 from basket no. 96’.
Level- Each layer, each find and each wall is
given a vertical measurement, known as its
‘level,’ which is calculated as being above or
below fixed reference points on the tell.
Squares- Fieldwork is conducted in squares,
usually 5 meters. Before excavation begins, a
grid system is superimposed on the tell.
Area (Field)- A number of connected squares
make up an area. Areas are usually
designated by uppercase letters, but they can
also be called ‘fields’ and be numbered in
Roman numerals.
Section- Sections are the vertical faces within
the square, which remain throughout the
excavation.
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
A. Opening Videos
B. Definitions
C. How archaeological sites are created?
1. Two Ways
a. Cultural
b. Nature
2. Cultural (Human)
3. Nature (Nature Disaster)
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
A. Opening Videos
B.Definitions
C.How archaeological sites are created?
D.How are archaeological sites discovered or
selected
1. Non Intrusive/Non Destructive
methods
a. Field Survey
b. Remote Sensing
Capernahum
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
A. Opening Videos
B. Definitions
C. How archaeological sites are created?
D. How are archaeological sites discovered
or selected
E. Preliminary Observations
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
A. Opening Videos
B. Definitions
C. How archaeological sites are created?
D. How are archaeological sites discovered
or selected
E. Preliminary Observations
F. Excavation Techniques
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
A. Opening Videos
B. Definitions
C. How archaeological sites are created?
D. How are archaeological sites discovered
or selected
E. Preliminary Observations
F. Excavation Techniques
G. Documentation
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
A. Area plan
B. Daily list of finds (basket list)
C. list
D. Locus list
E. Locus map
F. Drawing of sections
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
A. Area plan
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
A. Area plan
B. Daily list of finds (basket list)
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
A. Area plan
B. Daily list of finds (basket list)
C. list
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
A. Area plan
B. Daily list of finds (basket list)
C. list
D. Locus list
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
A. Area plan
B. Daily list of finds (basket list)
C. list
D. Locus list
E. Locus map
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
A. Area plan
B. Daily list of finds (basket list)
C. list
D. Locus list
E. Locus map
F. Drawing of sections
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
B. Photography
C. Treatment of finds and index of finds
D. Scientific Analysis
E. Anthropological analysis
F. Analysis of animal bones (osteoarchaeology)
G. Analysis of plant remains
H. Classification of types of wood
I.  Pottery analysis
J. Metal analysis
K. Publication of the excavation
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
B. Photography
C. Treatment of finds and index of finds
D. Scientific Analysis
E. Anthropological analysis
F. Analysis of animal bones (osteoarchaeology)
G. Analysis of plant remains
H. Classification of types of wood
I.  Pottery analysis
J. Metal analysis
K. Publication of the excavation
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
B. Photography
C. Treatment of finds and index of finds
D. Scientific Analysis
E. Anthropological analysis
F. Analysis of animal bones (osteoarchaeology)
G. Analysis of plant remains
H. Classification of types of wood
I.  Pottery analysis
J. Metal analysis
K. Publication of the excavation
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
B. Photography
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
B. Photography
C. Treatment of finds and index of finds
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
B. Photography
C. Treatment of finds and index of finds
D. Scientific Analysis
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
B. Photography
C. Treatment of finds and index of finds
D. Scientific Analysis
E. Anthropological analysis
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
B. Photography
C. Treatment of finds and index of finds
D. Scientific Analysis
E. Anthropological analysis
F. Analysis of animal bones (osteoarchaeology)
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
B. Photography
C. Treatment of finds and index of finds
D. Scientific Analysis
E. Anthropological analysis
F. Analysis of animal bones (osteoarchaeology)
G. Analysis of plant remains
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
B. Photography
C. Treatment of finds and index of finds
D. Scientific Analysis
E. Anthropological analysis
F. Analysis of animal bones (osteoarchaeology)
G. Analysis of plant remains
H. Classification of types of wood
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
B. Photography
C. Treatment of finds and index of finds
D. Scientific Analysis
E. Anthropological analysis
F. Analysis of animal bones (osteoarchaeology)
G. Analysis of plant remains
H. Classification of types of wood
I.  Pottery analysis
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
B. Photography
C. Treatment of finds and index of finds
D. Scientific Analysis
E. Anthropological analysis
F. Analysis of animal bones (osteoarchaeology)
G. Analysis of plant remains
H. Classification of types of wood
I.  Pottery analysis
J. Metal analysis
I. Definitions and Methods of Excavation
II. Notes Made During the Excavation
III. Misc. Items
A. Drawing of buildings
B. Photography
C. Treatment of finds and index of finds
D. Scientific Analysis
E. Anthropological analysis
F. Analysis of animal bones (osteoarchaeology)
G. Analysis of plant remains
H. Classification of types of wood
I.  Pottery analysis
J. Metal analysis
K. Publication of the excavation