5 and 6

Question 1

Reconnaissance

Answer 1

Reconnaissance is a systematic attempt to find archaeological sites within a region
(= “systematic regional survey”)

Question 2

reconnaissance we can discover

Answer 2

1. The presence and location of previously unknown sites.
2. The total number of sites in a region.
3. The spatial distribution of those sites in relation to geographical features (e.g.,
   rivers, mineral resources, animal and plant resources).
4. The spatial distribution of sites in relation to one another

Question 3

Two types of Common surface reconnaissance:

Answer 3

Pedestrian survey
* Vehicular survey

Question 4

Surface survey

Answer 4

Surface survey is used for the detection and recording of artifacts, ecofacts,
and features on the surface of a known archaeological site

Learn
-sites age
-Age of the site through stylistic analysis of finds- —How parts of a site were used through artifact distribution

Question 5

Steps of a surface survey

Answer 5

1. Background research
2. Determine the boundaries of your survey
3. Determine your sample units
   -Arbitrary
   -Non-arbitrary
4. Determine what/ how much material you are collecting
   -Total data collecting
   -Sample data collecting
5. Do the survey

Question 6

diagnostics

Answer 6

Of all the artifacts collected, only a few artifacts can be identified typologically. These
identifiable artifacts are called diagnostics.
(only collecting bowls)

Question 7

Sampling

Answer 7

Sampling is when a part is taken to represent the whole.

Question 8

Probability sampling

Answer 8

“a means of mathematically relating small samples of
data to much larger populations”

Question 9

Non-probabilistic surveys

Answer 9

Non-probabilistic surveys (= “gumshoe surveys”) are based on common sense

Question 10

Simple Random Sampling

Answer 10

1.Identify a percentage of the survey area to be sampled.

2.Divide up the survey area. Each grid square has an equal chance of being selected for sampling.

-This is what Kent Flannery called the “Teotihuacan Effect

Question 11

Systematic Sampling

Answer 11

1. Choose one unit at random and then select others at equal
   sampling intervals from the first
   one.
2. Importantly, random means that each sample has an equal
   opportunity of being chosen(including the starting point)

Question 12

Stratified Random Sampling

Answer 12

Units chosen randomly in
proportion to the size of
each zone.

(natural boundaries or zones)

Question 13

what are plans and sections

Answer 13

The basic records produced are plans (recording horizontal data) and sections (recording vertical data).

Question 14

What are Coordinates

Answer 14

imaginary datum point-
datum point-
northing-
easting-

Question 15

The Law of Superposition

Answer 15

The Law of Superposition tells us that the succession of layers should provide a relative chronological sequence, with the earliest material at the bottom and the most recent at the
top.

Question 16

Stratigraphy

Answer 16

Stratigraphy is the “archaeological evaluation of the temporal and depositional meaning of
the observed strata” (Sharer/Ashmore, p. 249).

Important concepts:
natural levels
arbitrary levels

Question 17

A section

Answer 17

A section is a drawing
showing a profile cut
through an archaeological
site

Question 18

Harris matrix

Answer 18

A Harris matrix shows this
same relationship in
abstract form

Question 19

Methods of Excavation

Answer 19

Probes
Shovel tests
wheeler box grid
Open area excavations
Step trenching

Question 20

probes

Answer 20

-The soil is probed with either a rod or auger.
-The position or levels at which the probe strikes solidsor hollows are noted.
-The damage to a site or feature is minor, but the
information gained is very limited.

-(Square holes 57 meter deep)(expanded when you hit something)

Question 21

Wheeler Box” Grid

Answer 21

This technique involves the retention of intact baulks of earth between excavation grid squares so that different layers can be correlated across the site.

Question 22

Open area excavation

Answer 22

The opening of a large horizontal area, used especially where single period deposits lie
close to the surface.
(not concerned with stratigraphy because it should be the same across the site )(only one time period)

Question 23

Step trenching

Answer 23

A method used in very deep sites, such as Near Eastern tells, in which
the excavation proceeds downward in shallow steps
(what you use when you know your going really deep)(less likely for hole to close on people)

Question 24

In situ

Answer 24

In situ refers to an artifact, ecofact, or feature that is still in its original place
of deposition

Question 25

Recovery Methods during excavation

Answer 25

1. Hand collecting
2. Dry screening
3. wet screening/Flotation(record the volume of soil floated in each sample)

Question 26

Micro-Archaeology-another method of recovery

Answer 26

Collecting tiny pieces of seed, plant material, ceramics

-found during wet screening/floatation

-ask question about site formation and environment

Question 27

Recording Artifacts in the field

Answer 27

Every 10 cm draws( and photographing

Question 28

Recording Artifacts in a lab

Answer 28

more photography can happen
-everything is cataloged
-3 day of field work=3 days of lab work

Question 29

conservation

Answer 29

field study and
curation of artifacts

Question 30

Stage in conservation

Answer 30

1. Stabilizing artifacts(have to preserve in the same water for under water sites)
2. Cleaning of artifacts(can’t clean leather in water breaks apart)
3. Repairing of artifacts(optional-reducing rust)
4. Label the artifacts
5. Inventory – classify and count by type
6. Catalogue – detailed description, drawing, and
   databasing