A POWER POINT PRESENTATION ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION METHODS AND THEIR IMPORTANCES

1. DEPARTMENT OF ANCIENT INDIAN HISTORY, CULTURE
AND ARCHAEOLOGY
SEMINAR PRESENTATION ON EXCAVATION
METHODS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE
MA – III SEMESTER (AIHCA)
SESSION – 2021-23
SUBMITTED TO :- SUBMITTED BY :-
Prof. (Dr.) S. K. Dwivedi
Prof. (Dr.) S. D. Sisodia
Saurabh Rajput
27-12-2022

3.  In the archaeological terminology, excavation is the
process of exposing and careful study and
recording of archaeological remains (cultural and
biological) beneath the surfaces.
 This is not just digging by a set formula but a
carefully managed process that required constant
creative thinking.
(Ref : Wendy Ashmore, “Discovring our past : a brief introduction to archaeology”, pp. 22)
Hastinapur excavation
Excavation at Turkey

4.  As a result of excavation recovery of traces in the
form of house foundations, graves, bones, seeds,
artefacts both movable or immovable gives an
insight of the past human activities, which further
adds to our understanding of the history of the
region and help us to solve various history related
problems. for example - setting chronological
issues. Finding cultural traits or establishing
connection between different cultures.
(Ref : www.britannica.com/science/archaeology/excavation)
Iron artifacts at Bhardwaj Ashram NBPW Pot Shards Bhardwaj Ashram

5.  choice of a particular site for excavation is not mere
co-incidence but based on recommendation of the
experts drawing on factors like the result of sudden
findings, literary sources, detail study, exploration
etc.
 It worth to notice here that Exploration is the most
extensively used way to determine the excavation of
a site, there are multiple types of methods employed
under exploration, it includes physical inspection,
remote sensing, and use of various types of modern
equipments for the purpose.
(Ref. : K. M. Srivastava, New era of Indian Archaeology, 1982, pp. 33)

6. (Ref : B. B. Lal, Excavation of Bhardwaj Ashram, 1979-80)

7.  " The experienced excavator, who thinks before he digs, succeeds in
reaching his objective in a majority of cases.” (1954:81)
 Excavation campaign is not less than any Military campaign. It requires
military level discipline from Archaeologists. Except his own role he should
be able to play the role of a trainer, supervisor and administrator. (1954:131)
 There have to be a valid purpose in mind before setting up any excavation
and all members should be conversant of such goal, The aim could be to
resolve any historical problem or to corroborate a historical
theory/conception. (1954:135)
 The leader has to form the team as per the objective of excavation. The
requirement of expertise and number can only be decided by the nature of
excavation. The team should be confident, having team spirit and full trust
in the leader. (1954:135)
 The Archaeologist must take notice of all factors such as climate,
environment, location and accessibility etc of the site. (1954:141)
 The Archaeologist should have knowledge of other expertise such as
Draftsmen, surveyor, foreman and photographers, so that in case of
exigencies the excavation work may continued with interruption. (1954:142)
(Ref : Sir Mortimer Wheeler, "Archaeology from the Earth”, London, 1954)

8.  "Archaeologist is a great destroyer, and
excavation digging is destructive in nature".
-Sir Mortimer Wheeler
 "We are the only scientists who murder their
informants when we question them !“
-Kent Flannery
With the above statements from eminent
Archaeologists we can discern that Excavation can
be a nightmare disaster is not done properly without
a planning. Thus, following a predefined norm is
vital to achieve the fruitful results after excavations
of the site.

9.  All contents excavated are removed from the ground
for further study and destroyed forever by
permanently divorcing from their contexts in time
and space. This is one of the tragedies of the
profession of archaeology. Thus, the ethics of
archaeology always insists on minimal excavation
and maximum collection of scientific information.
Sir R. E. Mortimer Wheeler

10. The list of instruments is completely depends upon methodology used, nature of
terrain , situation and objective involved in excavation. Hence, an exhaustive list
of required instruments is not possible to produce, it varies as per the nature of
the excavation.

11. Dumpy Level
Tape, Peg, Mallet, Plumb Bob, Compass
Basket, Pick axe, Trovel, Sprit level
Peg, Thread

12.  The director of the excavation must have visited the site several time in
the past and should fix the excavation of the mound keeping in the view
the contour of the map.
 Sampling : The area where the occupational debris of the mound is
maximum will be the next choice of the place of layout a trench. The
trench in the highest part of the mound will enable the excavator to
determine the earliest time when the site came under occupation.
 Laying out the trench in the central area of the mound should not be left
out. Most important and elite occupation generally located in central part
of the occupation.
 Test Pit : It is the most useful way of obtaining preliminary information on
Stratigraphy and cultural history in advance of large scale excavation. This
is known as reference point for the dig. Kent Flannery once called them as
"Telephone Booth" as giving high specific information of the site.

14. Sampling from sites using various advance techniques

15.  There have been wide range of excavation methods
in use, some are largely outdated and become part of
the archaeological history but some have become
more refined and advanced over the period of time
and now being utilized all over the world as a norm
with slight regional variations suitable to terrain and
climatic conditions.
 Most of the times, there are various methods
employed in digging, but the appropriate one varies
from site to site and time to time.

16.  The concept of stratigraphy has been borrowed from another
branch of science known as geology. under stratigraphy,
archaeologist remove dirt/debris each layer wise. this gives
them broad arena of understanding of various deposition
over the period of time and each layer suggest of a gap in
continuation of the habitation. These strata survive vary
largely, depending on the type of location and geology (hilly,
lowland, wet, dry, acid, etc., known as the terrain ).
Excavation usually requires the removal and permanent
dispersal of strata so they can never be re-examined. So the
method is also influenced by the need to conserve cultural
strata as far as possible. The method is most difficult and
cumbersome but holistic in approach. (Ref : www.britannica.com)
 Mortimer Wheeler had written extensively on formation of
strata and importance of its study in Ancient India, 1946

20.  Trenching has been used to obtain cross sections of
sites and is particularly important in Stratigraphic
interpretation because it provides a single, long
vertical profile. Trench method is also useful in
exposing buildings buried under later structures.
Hastinapur Site (Cred. Arch.
Museum, Jiwaji University)

22.  There are two methods most widely and practically
used all over the world.
1. Vertical Excavation Method
2. Horizontal Excavation Method
Horizontal Exca. Mohen Jo-Daro, Cred.
K. M. Srivastava
Vertical trench, British Iron age
Hill fort site, Cred: society of
antiquary Britain

23. " It is a railway time table without a train.”
- Sir Mortimer Wheeler (1954:167)
The aim of the Vertical excavation is to not expose
the site itself but to prepare an index of the site, like
the page of the contents of a book. It is very often
used for the purpose of knowing the stratification of
the site. Archaeologist resort to this kind of excavation to
know the sequence of cultural occupation of the site. The
area of vertical excavation is generally limited and can
only be extended vertically.
(Ref : K. M. Srivastava, New Era of Indian Archaeology, 1982, pp. 37)

24. Credit : Self, Jiwaji University

25.  Selection of a datum point - This is a control point
for all future excavation
 Reference point - This is a universal reference peg
which is to be reckon with for any measurement.
Method - First draw a datum line and base line with
terminal pegs so that reference peg should not be
disturbed while extending the area. the lines would
fall at right angles. the overall site grid is divided
into smaller grids which are parallel to the site base
line.
(Ref : Archaeology Principles and Methods , K. Rajan)

26.  Mortimer wheeler introduced "Grid System"
 In this system the site is laid with a grid of
squares with strips of un-dug area (baulk)
between them. This type of system gives
greater control on excavation and also
understanding of cultural sequencing.

27. Locus : II-x cm X y cm –
z cm below reference
point

28.  This is also known as Area Excavation. The aim
of this type of excavation is to reveal and
understand the detailed planning of the
township with its streets and all structure with
in its such as shrines, houses, palaces, pools,
shops etc.
 Horizontal excavation leads to complete
reconstruction of the cultural pattern of a
particular period. Thus, there is no limitation of
the area extension.

30. Size of every block can be decided 5x5 or 10x10 mtrs as per the requirement

31.  QUADRANT METHOD :
This method is very effective in Burial excavation provides both horizontal
and vertical cut at the
same time. It is Used on any circular feature like
 barrows
 post-holes
 hearths
 pits
Characteristic features of Quadrant Method:
- It is quite quick, and less time consuming method.
- It involves dividing a feature into quarters and excavating
2 opposing quarters at the same time
- This enables stratigraphy in 4 directions.
- if nothing of interest is found then there may be no need to dig the rest
- if there is something of interest (e.g. part of a skeleton) that is partly under
the sections left in place, the remaining quadrants may also be excavated.
Circle Pit, Wanganga

32. Ref : Archaeology principles and methods – K. Rajan

34.  Sir Mortimer Wheeler, Archaeology from the earth, 1954
 K. Rajan, Archaeology principles and methods
 K. M. Srivastava, New era of Archaeology, 1982
 Kenyon, K.M. 1964. Beginnings in Archaeology.
 Atkinson, R. J. C. 1953. Field Archaeology.
 Ancient India 1946
 https://alchetron.com/Mortimer-Wheeler