Chapter 4 Terminology

Question 1

Arbitrary Level

Answer 1

The basic vertical subdivision of an excavation square; used only when easily recognizable “natural” strata are lacking and when natural strata are more than 10 cm thick.

Question 2

Context

Answer 2

The relationship of an artifact, ecofact, or feature to other artifacts, ecofacts, features and geologic strata in a site.

Question 3

Datum point

Answer 3

The zero point, a fixed reference used to keep control on a dig; usually controls both the vertical and horizontal dimensions of provenience.

Question 4

Flotation

Answer 4

The use of fluid suspension to recover tiny burned plant remains and bone fragments from archaeological sites.

Question 5

In situ

Answer 5

From Latin, meaning “in position”; the place where an artifact, ecofact, or feature was found during excavating or survey.

Question 6

Living floor

Answer 6

A distinct buried surface on which people lived.

Question 7

Matrix-sorting

Answer 7

The hand - sorting of processed bulk soil samples for minute artifacts and ecofacts.

Question 8

Natural level

Answer 8

A vertical subdivision of an excavation square that is based on natural breaks in the sediments (in terms of color,grain size, hardness, or other characteristics).

Question 9

Pleistocence

Answer 9

A geologic period from 2 million to 10 thousand years ago, which characterized by multiple periods of extensive glaciation (παγετώνες).

Question 10

Provenience

Answer 10

An artifact’s location relative to a system of spatial (χωρικά) data collection.

Question 11

Strata

Answer 11

More or less homogenous or gradational material, visually separable from other levels by a discrete change in the character of the material - texture, compactness, color, rock, organic content - and/or by a sharp break in the nature of deposition (εκθρόνιση).

Question 12

Test excavation

Answer 12

A small initial excavation to determine a site’s potential for answering a research question.

Question 13

Total station

Answer 13

A device that uses a beam of light bounce off a prism to determine an artifact’s provenience; it is accurate to +/- 3 millimeters.

Question 14

Water-screening

Answer 14

A sieving (κοσκίνισμα) process in which deposit is placed in a screen and the matrix washed away with hoses; essential where artifacts are exposed to be small and/or difficult to find without washing.