mod 5. Doing Fieldwork

Research design

A problem oriented framework for the collection, analysis and interpretation of data relevant to answering an archaeological question. design, survey, excavatation , classification

Framework is a research plan

determine kinds of information, sources, analytical methods, synthesize findings

6 steps of archaeological research design - DIDaPIP

1. Design info (background research and hypothesis)

2. 2. Implementation (fund raising, team, recruitment )

3. 3. Data Acquisition (field research, Conservation)

4. 4. Processing and Analysis (lab analysis)

5. 5. Interpretation

6. 6. Publication (final report)

CRM (cultural resource management)

projects assess importance of places and impacts of development

Academic projects

investigate long standing problems in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data relevant to answering archaeological questions

The research universe

non-arbitrary sample (natural areas - microenvironments, cultural entities - rooms, houses) units and

arbitrary sample units (spatial divisions, no inherent natural or cultural relevance)

Implantation - SLLAp

Surveys, Logistics, Licensing, archaeological planning

data gathering strategies - total and sample

total data gathering (involves investigation of all units in the population) and

sample data gathering ( refers to situations when only a portion or sample of the data can be collected from a given universe)

sampling methods

1. probabilistic sampling (specify mathematically how a sample relates to a larger population)

probabilistic sampling methods - 4 types

1. simple random sampling (each sample has equal chance)

2. 2. Systemic sampling (pick first sample unit then everything else is random)

3. 3. Stratified sampling (population is divided into divisions, samples taken from each equally - zones)

4. 4. probabilistic (judgemental) sampling -> specifically designed to collect the most information that is relevant

data processing

cleaning & conservation, cataloging,

analysis

analytic classifications,

temporal frameworks,

spatial frameworks

Interpretation

application of culture history, and cultural processes theory and post-processual theory. historically specific -> general

publication

research used as foundation for new research

locating archaeological sites

1. aerial survey, surface survey and subsurface survey

Aerial survey 3 types - ApMiP

Airborne Prospecting -> optical aerial photography, important for identifying earthworks and walls, supplement to observations made during fieldwork.

Multi-spectral/thermal imaging -> sediment variously compacted, retain heat differently.

Photogrammetry -> conversion of optical images into digital format, cam be incorporated into GIS platforms

drones in archaeology

under or over regulation size, high resolution, better depth models than satellite imagery. Solution where access and surveying is difficult, limitations -> piloting skill, environment

surface survey - FGlpTU

field survey -> form a line and walk and looking at the ground.

ground level photography -> take photos.

Topographic survey -> Record large landscapes using drones to map and UAV LiDAR.

Underwater survey -> same thing but less time

Subsurface survey methods - RMGprSStADt

hand tools to sophisticated equipment, identify specific features. remote sensing (not underground) and intrusive is going under the ground.

Resistivity -> electronic current passed through ground, high resistance to compact materials.

Magnetic survey -> variations in magnetic field from normal background.

Ground penetrating radar -> electronic signals sent into soil measure density and position of subsurface features.

Seismic survey -> side scanning sonar, underwater survey.

Shovel testing -> creating a square hole, go down as far as possibly can go, and to get a sense of soil and sediment.

Augering -> large drill, under topsoil (or coring -> hollow tubes in ground and comes back up with an unaltered layer).

Deep testing -> using a machine to get large area of soil,

two kinds of surveying

1. Reconnaissance (initial physical exploration of an area -> archaeologists carry out this type of surveying by systematic field walking in order to look for artifacts and sites on the landscape) and

2. 2. Instrumental (use satellites to make maps and plans of the places and areas of interest)

how sites form

natural and cultural -> dispositional processes, disturbances processes

how to find sites

aerial survey, surface survey, subsurface survey

excavation

means of recovering data about the past, discover and retrieve data beneath surface. It is done because it the best preserved and least disturbed observations of things deposited. Goals are to record patterning in 3d space, function and chronological significance of patterning

stratification

observed layers of matrices and features, layer = strata, layers = strata, contrasted by colour, texture, composition

excavation of initial questions

what is the record? dealing with short or long? is the record nicely or a mess?

excavation strategies

1. penetrating excavations -> vertical strategy, deep probes of subsurface deposits, depth, sequencing, composition of remains, test pits, trenches, tunnels.

2. 2. clearing excavations -> clearing excavations, horizontal investigation of deposits, extent of deposits and the arrangement of remains, trace surface or deposits of varying size.

Establishing a grid (horizontal untis)

grid organized at right angels. datum (fixed place in 3d space - permanent) create benchmarks that connect back to the datum

alphanumeric system

used for caves and rock systems to create a grid

xy coordinate system

everything is organized to the north to create a grid (N1, E2)

two vertical recording stratas

1. record surfaces as you go down through them

2. 2. arbitrary, mixing things together from diff strata. baulks (vertical walls) left between adjacent excavation squares (units). These walls permit recording of the vertical profile. keep control by having a datum

recording strategies

vertical and horizontal

excavation techniques - 3 types - SsHtS

shovel skimming -> skimming off the top at the time to remove dirt and speed.

hand tools -> uncovered smth that is fragile or complicated.

screening -> shaking the dirt away (gravity, mechanized, smashing)

field notes should include

(1) the location, site number, and map number; (2) what was found, the types and number of artifacts (such as fire-cracked stones, charcoal, etc.); and (3) observations about the site, discoloration in the soil, the presence of mounds, nearby streams or water, and other pertinent environmental information.

Selecting sites for excavation

Sites are often chosen for excavation because they appear to be well preserved or to contain new informa- tion that will help to understand the prehistory of a particular region. The choice of a site for excavation is sometimes based on the results of a survey.

test pits

involves making a few small excavations to preview the site. These test excavations can be small, verti- cal pits.

vertical excavations

an be vertical or horizontal. Vertical excavation takes the form of squares or rectangles carefully positioned across a site to expose stratigraphy and artifact contents.

By studying the vertical walls (sections) of these excavations, buried layers in the earth can be observed. The relationships between deposits in the stratigraphic sequence indicate the chronological arrangement of the layers.

horizontal excavations

expose large open areas of ground, one layer at a time.

Area excavations are intended to recover information regarding site arrangement and structure. In such cases, it is advantageous to expose large surfaces of the same layer to get an overview of the distribution of features and artifacts at the settlement.

screening and flotation

The excavated soils are usually sifted through screens and/ or washed with water to find small objects, fragments of bone, and plant remains.

Dry sieving works reasonably well in loose, dry soils, but water screening is recommended in most situations to ensure more complete recovery of small items. Water screening involves the use of water to wash the sediment away from the excavated material.

typology attributes

typology by grouping them based on shared attributes such as form, material, function, and manufacturing techniques.