Flashcards
Archaeology Unit 2
Cards in this deck (44)
- 1ArtifactAn object made by a human being, typically an item of cultural or historical interest.
- 2AssemblageA group of different artifacts found in association with one another, in the same context. An assemblage is a group of artifacts recurring together at a particular time and place, and representing the sum of human activities.
- 3AttributeAn attribute is a well defined characteristic of an artifact that cannot be further subdivided.
- 4Excavation: Strategy Box-GridIntermediate between trenched and area excavation
Baulks (strips of unexcavated soil) maintained to provide record of stratigraphy
Access to horizontal view and vertical sequence simultaneously - 5Cataloguingthe process of recording all primary information about an object. With archeological collections, it also involves assigning a catalog number to an object that is specifically related to its archeological context or provenience and is often related to its accession number.
- 6ClassificationAn analytical procedure that involves studying artifacts found at the site to place them into groups based on recurring characteristics
- 7CofferdamA temporary dike built across a body of water, and constructed to allow the water to be pumped out of the enclosed area. Cofferdams are used in order to allow for a dry working environment.
- 8ComponentAn association of all of the artifacts from one occupation level at a site. Sites having evidence for only one occupation are called single component sites. More stratigraphically complex sites are called multicomponent sites.
- 9ConservationPreserving the archaeological record in museums, leaving sites untouched, etc...
- 10ContextThe surrounding area in which an artifact is found. (Stratigrahy, age, objects surrounding it, etc...)
- 11Cultural Resource ManagementCultural resource management (CRM) is the vocation and practice of managing heritage assets, and other cultural resources such as contemporary art.
- 12CurationArcheological curation is an ongoing process. It involves the making of collections and their care and management over the long term. ... Every archeological project produces an archeological collection.
- 13DatumDatum a fixed point in three-dimensional space that serves as a reference point for all horizontal and vertical measurements taken at an archaeological site. (Precise point)
- 14Ecofactorganic material found at an archaeological site that carries archaeological significance. Ecofacts are natural objects found alongside artifacts or features, such as animal bones, charcoal, plants, and pollen
- 15Ontario heritage act"… it is illegal for anyone but a licensed archaeologist to knowingly disturb an archaeological site. This means that unless you are a licensed archaeologist, it is illegal for you to dig an archaeological site or dive on a shipwreck to record its condition or remove and keep artifacts."
- 16Who monitors archaeology in Ontario?Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries
- 17Who gets to do archaeology in Ontario?License Holders:
professionals (Academics, 1000+ hours of work in the field, handling the artifacts, report writing),
applied research (Graduate Students),
avocational (Those who have an interest in archaeology, cannot excavate),
marine (shipwrecks, certified diver), -
applicants certified in another jurisdiction (other provinces). - 18Cemetaries ActProhibits disturbance of burial sites, those who discover or have knowledge of a burial site must contact either coroner or police immediate.
- 19CRM (Industry Archaeology) aka "Rescue" Archaeology95% of archaeology done in Ontario is due to develop
Excavate and record as much as possible prior to development.
Today most digs are rescue excavation, take place within the framework of the planning process
May result in only small parts of sites investigated rather than whole sites. - 20Stages of Archaeology1. Background Study and Property Inspection
2. Property Assessment
3. Site Specific Assessments
4. Mitigation of Development Impacts - 21Stage 1: Background Study and Property InspectionReviews geographical features & land use, other historical information, previously identified sites in the area and determines potential for Archaeological site. Uses Historical Information, and checks Ontario Public Register of Archaeological Reports & Ontario Archaeological Sites Database (HSTC)
- 22Stage 2: Property AssessmentIdentifies the location(s) of any archaeological resources of cultural value
Requires survey of property
Archaeologist & Ministry determine significance of finds and whether further intervention required I.e stage 3
Uses Pedestrian Survey and Shovel Test Pit survey - 23Stage 3: Site Specific AssessmentsFor all sites with archaeological resources of cultural significance
Further background research & fieldwork
Determine size, map limits of site, investigate other characteristics to evaluate cultural significance - 24Stage 4: Mitigation of Development ImpactsInvolves implementation of conservation strategies I.e long-term avoidance & protection
Preferred protection in situ
When protection not viable mitigation may involve excavation
Report to ministry - 25Surface/Pedestrian Survey (Stage 2)Ideal conditions, recently ploughed field followed by rainfall
Brings remains to surface, exposed by washing dirt away
Systematic search I.e. advancing line 5m apart, Pedestrians search pottery, animal bones, etc...
Record location of each find I.e. GPS, transit
Limitations include disturbance from plough, visibility, and background noise.
(Stage 2) - 26Shovel Test Pit Survey (Stage 2)Overgrown fields, forests, whatever can't be ploughed
When surface visibility is poor and/or undisturbed
Systematic search I.e advancing line 5m apart
Digging 30cm wide pits to subsoil, sift soils for artifacts
Limitations missed evidence
- 27Test Squares (Stage 3)Test square or sondage = small test excavation units that are 1m^2
Dig test squares across sites
Trench is rectangular-shaped excavation of variable width and length
Sift soils for artifacts - 28Excavation StrategiesAim to uncover, identify, date, and interpret each archaeological context on the site. By understanding the formation processes. Two key elements of any excavation are vertical sequence and horizontal layout
- 29Excavation Strategy: Open AreaExtent of features determines size of excavation
Digging may take place over several seasons
Good for recognition of spatial patterning over large areas
Complete structures can be studied, relationships between features clarified, full understanding of horizontal relationships
Stratigraphy recorded as excavation occurs, reconstructed late
Best for single component sites that are relatively shallow - 30PlanumUse when clear stratification is lacking and making identification of contexts is difficult
Excavators 'plane' off a predetermined thickness of deposit across a unit
Map and photograph the revealed surface and then repeat the process
- 31Excavation - Soil SamplesRecovery of environmental remains to reconstruct past environment
Soil samples taken from selected locations such as pits, ditches, other diagnostic features or layers
A neglected aspect of soil sampling, attempting to recover health and dietary evidence when excavating human remains. - 32Recording – Borden SystemAn alphanumeric coding system recording location of archaeological sites & tracking finds
1952 Charles E. Borden, grandfather of BC Archaeology
UpperCase letters represent intervals of two degrees latitude & four degrees longitude
lowercase letters represent 10 minute intervals used to create smaller grid squares within the larger grid - 33Research ArchaeologySites not subject to immediate threat
Selected by archaeologists/descendants based on suitability to answer research questions
Benefits must outweigh destructive nature of excavation
Perceived benefits outweigh whole or partial destruction of original site, and loss to future generations. - 34Recording – FieldMapping is key to the accurate recording of data. (It's important to record context to keep information)
Datum a fixed point in three-dimensional space that serves as a reference point for all horizontal and vertical measurements taken at an archaeological site. (Precise point)
Grid system used to record locations of artifacts/ecofacts/features accurately, both horizontally and vertically. - 35Recording - Grid systemUsed to record locations of artifacts/ecofacts/features accurately, both horizontally and vertically.
- 36DataUsed to reconstruct sites. Includes mapping, photographs, drawings, notes, stratigraphy, etc...
- 37Observationsdescriptions are recorded in standardized forms: notebooks, journals, etc... Documented in situ
- 38In SituWhere the artifact is found (Its original placement). Relates to the objects context
- 39Recovery - ScreeningScreening methods used are determined by the nature of the site and the expected finds.
Standard screen size 1/4inch
1/8" for small finds like beads.
- 40Recovery FlotationA way to recover small artifacts and ecofacts based on their buoyancy
Involves putting soil samples into water
Filters objects through screens of different sizes via flotation.
Light fraction, lighter materials such as plant remains float to the surface
Heavy fraction, non-floating materials and soils drop to the bottom of the container. - 41Analysis – Material CultureDistinguish between alteration due to burial environment and human modifications (taphonomy I.e from the time of burial to excavation, must distinguish between natural and human behaviour)
Cataloguing provides a permanent link between artifact and context
Conservation includes cleaning, repair and stabilization
Classification and data collection
Curation - 42Dating – RelativeRelative methods:Stratigraphy, Seriation or Chronology building, Cross dating, Bone chemistry
Artifacts can be dated in relation to the strata/context in which they are found
Refined through seriation or sequence/frequency dating based on idea artifact styles and attributes change through time, rising and declining in popularity.
Seriation is visualized in battleship curves - 43Relative DatingSurface decoration changes most rapidly, tends to be the best chronological indicator
Least affected by functional or technological requirements. (Seriation)
Variation may reflect either temporal or spatial distance - 44Cross DatingUsed when unable to use seriation
Involves comparison with other well documented artifact sequences from same geographical area
Assumes cultural connections
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- Anthropology Flashcards on Archaeology Unit 2, created by Meagan Kolody on 19/10/2021.
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