This document provides an overview of archaeological excavation methods. It explains that archaeologists carefully excavate sites in square units and 5cm levels to recover physical evidence of past human societies. Tools like trowels, shovels and screens are used to remove and sift soil, looking for artifacts. When an artifact is found, it is mapped, photographed and bagged. The process is repeated level-by-level until sterile soil is reached, with matrix samples collected to recover smaller items. Through this systematic excavation, archaeologists can discover and interpret past cultures.

1. www.luxetvitan.com

2. By Anbr Cama

3. What is archaeology?
• The scientific study of
the physical evidence
of past human
societies recovered
through the
excavation.
Archaeologists not
only attempt to
discover and describe
past cultures, but to
explain the
development of these
cultures.

4. How is a site chosen?
• Our site was
chosen based on:
• A. artifacts
already found on
the surface
• B. history of the
area (from sources
or even land owner)

5. What is a unit?
• A unit is a square in
which an
archaeologist has
chosen to dig or
search for
artifacts.

6. Setting up a unit
Your unit will be a
“2x2.” You start with
two sides that need to
measure 200 cm.
Using the Pythagorean
Theorem, you will find
the hypotenuse to be
283 cm., your
measurement from
corner to corner
across the middle.
Using this method you
can be sure all sides of
the unit will be 200 cm

7. Once you have these
measurements, you will
have a perfect square for
your unit… IF you measure
it correctly.
Then the REAL
fun begins…

8. Tools of the trade…
• There are several
tools you can use
when looking for
artifacts. Some
of them are…
a spade, a shovel, a
trowel, a measuring
tape, a bamboo
pick, a pencil, a file,
a paint brush and
clippers.

9. AND don’t forget
the sunscreen
and bug spray!!!!

10. First using shovels
and spades, you need
to remove the plow
zone, which reaches
about 25 cm below the
surface. Keep your
eyes peeled for
artifacts such as
flakes that can be
found in the plow zone!
Removing the Plow Zone

11. Once the plow zone is removed, you may
find changes in the soil color. These are
called stains. Once a stain is found, you can
be sure you have discovered a feature within
the unit and then you can get down and
DIRTY!!!!!!!!!
There is a
chance you
will find
artifacts
below this…

12. Working at a dig site…
• To begin
excavating your
feature you will
need to
CAREFULLY
remove the soil 5
cm. at a time. Each
5 cm of soil is
called a level.

13. During this process you can see the
best side of a lot of people
Not
again…

14. Smile

15. The MATRIX!!!
Before you
begin troweling
away each 5 cm
level, you need to
take a matrix or
sampling of soil.
This is done using
your trowel to
“chunk” the soil out
of the level.

16. This matrix is taken back to MVAC where it is
dried and then rinsed through screens for
items like small bones or flakes or charcoal.
This can help give more information about the
site and the people who once occupied it.

17. Any soil you remove from a feature is
screened. That way any artifacts too small
to be seen or mixed in with the soil you
excavate don’t get away!!!

18. When you think you have found something,
yell loudly, “I found something!” and
someone will come to either confirm your
find or tell you it’s just dirt and crush it
between their fingers…

19. Certain artifacts will need to be left “in situ”
as they may continue into the next level.
Some you may need to pedestal or leave dirt
underneath it and then map it. Then you will
need to use your handy bamboo pick and
paintbrush to remove the dirt. Even though
you may be tempted to just “yank that puppy
out of there” – DON’T DO IT!!!!!!!!!! Removal
of an artifact needs to be done very
carefully!!!!!!

21. Finding artifacts
• After you remove
an artifact, you
need to put it into
a correctly labeled
plastic bag. The
artifacts will be
taken back to
MVAC to be
washed and
cataloged.

22. After you have removed a level or 5 cm
of soil from the feature, you need to map what
you have found whether it is the stain in the
soil or artifacts in that level. One or two
people measure and someone records these
measurements on grid paper.

23. After mapping the feature, you then need
to photograph it for permanent record of what
feature looks like.
You use a photo
board with the
site number,
feature
number, and
other
important
information
plus an arrow
pointing to true
north.

24. Then you can start the
whole process all over
again…
Until you reach
sterile soil…
or China…

25. •Many interesting
artifacts have been
found at dig sites.
It is very exciting
to be a part of an
archaeology dig
BONE!!!!

29. www.luxetvitan.com