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Lecture 5 — Archaeological Excavation: Provenience, Stratigraphy, and Curation

Big idea: Excavation is controlled, systematic removal of matrix to expose contexts. The core technical challenge is provenience control so associations can be reconstructed later.

Before excavation

  • Research design and sampling strategy are determined in advance.
  • Key decisions: where on the site, area size, number of units (pits/trenches).

Why squares?

Excavation units are typically square because they:

  • define a known area to control context,
  • simplify quantifying volume and comparing units.

Excavation workflow (a “day in the field”)

  • Archaeology is early‑morning, weather‑specific work: sun protection, close‑toed shoes, etc.
  • Low‑tech essentials: nails, string, rulers; plus trowels/brushes/brooms/dental picks.

Provenience and context (the “paperwork” is the science)

Provenience = 3D location within matrix:

  • horizontal: X/Y on a grid,
  • vertical: depth below a fixed datum.

Tools:

  • High‑tech: total station, differential GPS.
  • Low‑tech: line level, plumb bob.

Context = artifacts + matrix + associations

  • Associations are the inferential gold: spatial relationships among artifacts/features and environments.

Stratigraphy and the Law of Superposition

  • Stratification: layered matrices/features.
  • Law of superposition: (in undisturbed sequences) lower strata are older than higher strata.
  • Caveats: inverted stratigraphy, burrowing animals, disturbance.

Profiles: exposed stratigraphic walls used to interpret formation processes and site history.

Screening / sifting

  • Recovers small artifacts missed during digging.
  • Loses exact micro‑provenience, but retains association with stratum/level.

After excavation: backfill, conservation, and curation

  • Backfilling: most excavations refill the unit after recording; leave indicators of archaeological work.
  • Conservation/restoration: protect features that cannot be removed; can involve mechanical supports or chemical stabilization.
  • Curation & cataloguing: classification by shared attributes for analysis and collections management:
    • technological (raw materials, manufacture),
    • form (shape, dimensions),
    • style (color, texture, decoration).

Ethics

Excavation = assuming custody of cultural patrimony:

  • follow regulations/best practices,
  • collaborate with stakeholders,
  • plan for long‑term conservation (circumstances change; solutions must adapt).