Midterm 2 Flashcards
Finding archaeological sites
- chance discoveries
- ask a local
- documentary records
- oral traditions
- archaeological survey
Approaches to arky survey: two types of survey
- Reconnaissance survey
2. Intensive survey
Reconnaissance survey
- preliminary examination of a survey area to identify major sites, to assess potential, and to establish tentative site distributions
Intensive survey
Systematic, detailed field survey that covers an entire area, it may include subsurface testing
Non- probabilistic (judgemental survey)
- targeting specific areas by the excavator in a non- random manner
- often used when the archaeologist is most interested in already visible or suspected sites
- results cannot be extrapolated beyond that area, or used to generalize about non- sample; context within the study area
Probabilistic (random) sampling
- uses random sampling techniques to mathematically relate small samples of data to larger study areas by studying a representative sample of the whole area
- makes generalizations derived from the sample for the entire area
Approaches to ground survey
- quadrants
- transacts
- opportunistic sampling
Transects
Have something you know and trying to figure out something you don’t know
- example two sites and you want to know what’s between them
Opportunistic sampling example
Dr Mason and the pits
Geographic information systems (GIS)
- example google maps
- appeared during the 1980s
- revolutionized the storage and display of cartographic data, including Arky sites
- uses GPS (global positioning system) data to render points, lines, and polygons in 3D space
Two types of GIS
- total station
- base station and handheld receiver
Simple random sampling
- simplest form of probabilistic sampling
- numbers are assigned to a grid, drawn over a survey area, and sampling units are selected in a completely random basis
- the spacing between sampling g areas is often uneven
- large parts of sampling g area may be left out of the sample completely, just by chance
- strengths: east
- problems: areas may be left out by chance, may be uneven coverage for
Stratified random sampling
- used when the survey area is not geographically uniform
- the broader sample area is divided in ways that reflect observed variation within the area (ecological zones, activity areas, artifact classes)
- each category is designated an amount of sample units proportional to its area
- with each category/ division, the position of the sample units is determined by random sampling
- weak spot: if you don’t have good categories than your study isn’t going to be good
Systematic sampling methods
- easy from planning and survey perspective
- choose one unit at random, and then select others at equal intervals from the first one
- sample units are evenly distributed
- useful for surface collection where artifacts are visible in the ground surface
- avoids areas of low sample concentration that can be a problem in simple random sampling
- by may oversample/ miss every site if arky material also falls at regular intervals
Systematic unaligned sampling
- combination of simple random and systematic sample into a single strategy
- divides sample universe into small, regularly spaced divisions
- sample units are randomly spaced within each of these divisions
- can also be called stratified systematic sampling
Arky survey
The systematic attempt to locate, identify, and record the distribution of arky sites on the ground and in relation to their natural environment
Site assessment
The evaluation of each sites arky significance. Assessment t considers site location and evaluates data from controlled surface collections, and, in some cases, information from subsurface detection using electronic & limited subsurface testing
Stonehenge
- Salisbury plain, England
- Neolithic and Bronze Age (as early as 3000 BC)
- one of. Way known arky sites in Europe
- includes henge, hundreds of burial mounds, pits, ritual shrines
- has always been known, never lost
- the stone travelled a long way
Durrington walls
- Europe had many droughts in 20th century & broken water pipe led to discovery of new monuments and features
- differential patterns on grass and saw patterns merging, crop marks & were able to discover patterns in Stonehenge itself discovering it was actually a full circle
- new survey: new discoveries including dureington walls- c cables super henge two miles away from Stonehenge
Remote sensing methods:
- google earth
- aerial photography (shadow marks, crop marks, soil marks, infrared false colour photographs)
- non photographic methods (satellite sensor imagery & aircraft borne sensor imagery: sideways looking airborne radar (SLAR) as LiDAR
- surface subsampling
Remote sensing at Stonehenge
- crop marks
- aerial photography
- Infrared photography
- LiDAR
- ground penetrating radar
- resisitivity
- gradiometers/ magnetometery
LANDSAT 7
- launches in 1999
- single nadir pointing instrument
- sun synchronous: orbits 705 km above earth, with a swath width; revisits same area every 16 days, 250 images a day; this means you always get images during the day time
- the ETM and can line corrector failed on May 31, 2003 - image with significant geometric error
Infrared satellite imaging
- most satellites have multiple bands that capture different wavelengths: visual, infrared, multispectral
- computer programs can create false colour images of particular bands (helps features stand out): ERDAS & ArcHIS
- hidden features may become visible (changes in vegetation, crop marks)
LiDAR Mapping
- light detection and ranging
- pulsing laser (usually mounted on an aircraft)
- measured distance based on the time it takes for a pulse of light to reach the target and return
- measures the height of the ground surface and all features
- classification of ground feature
- highly accurate DSN (digital surface model) maps all surface features
- but the same as ground penetrating radar, does not penetrate surface just gives you map of surface
Ground penetrating radar
- non invasive survey
- radar pulses are reflected at different rates depending on the density of subsurface features
- data collects on a grid
- creates a 3D subsurface map (not a high resolution, for large features)
- will not help you see artifacts, just help you see features
Gradiometery/ magnetometery
- measures near surface magnetic field
- gradiometery: axial gradiometery (2 magnetometers placed above each other) & planar gradiometers (2 magnetometers placed next to each other)
- data collected on grid (usually on foot)
- difficult without flat surface
- example magnetometers at Mayapan
Surface sampling
- fathers representatives of artifacts from the surface of the site
- works best in areas of low vegetation and soul deposition (otherwise requires clearing)
- techniques: dog leasing technique, square units
Subsurface sampling methods
- used when surface visibility is poor
- shovel test pits
- auger/ core borer
Shovel test pits (STPs)
- shallow holes as proscribed size and depth are made with a shovel
Auger/ core borer
- hand operates or power tool
- used to bore through subsurface deposits to find the depth and consistency of arky deposits
Deciding where to dig
- a precise surface survey and an accurate topographic map of the site is necessary
- the first decision to be made it whether to carry out a total or selective excavation
- probabilistic and non probabilistic choices
- logistical considerations
Total excavations
- rare these days as it is quite expensive
- has the advantage of. Ring comprehensive, but is undesirable because it leaves none of the site intact for excavation at a later date with, perhaps, more advanced techniques
Vertical trenches
- kind of old school
- used on mounds/ temples, deep deposits & CRM projects
- reveals the full sequence of occupation/ construction
- strategically placed to reveal the maximum amount of information
- can cause erosion if not backfilled properly
Vertical testing
- designed to penetrate to the lower strata of a site to establish the extent to arky deposits
- used to establish stratigraphic sequences (chronology of a site or region, obtaining artifact samples from a wide range of contexts)
- us d when horizontal excavation might cause future preservation problems
- test pits
- “telephone booths”
Test pits
- 1x1, 1x2, 2x2, 5x5 or 10x10
- larger samples you usually need to subdivide to investigate further
- dig very square holes- practical and for scientific comparisons.
- excavated to bedrock or sterile soil
Controlling vertical space
levels are used to divide up vertical space to stratigraphic changes and establish battleship curves:
- Natural level
- Artificial levels to
- at the end of each level: photograph, draw, bag, and tag
Natural levels
- uses visible changes in the matrix appearance and texture
Artificial levels
- us s arbitrary depths to subdivide the vertical matrix (5,20,25,30,50cm)
Horizontal (area) excavation
- takes time & conservation (by law in Mexico you have to restore it)
- carried out on a much larger scale than vertical investigations
- “total excavation” of a small area or structure
- when you want to understand entire area/ structure
- uncovers wide areas to recover building plans or the layout of entire settlements
- established a grid over a selected large area of site
- uses grid to establish horizontal spatial controls through the excavation of individual units within the grid
Cartesian coordinate system
- two or three dimensional grid based on intersecting, perpendicular incremental lines or places
Datum
Something to use as a basis for measuring; a reference point for a grid or map
Site datum
A stable or permanent feature established as a arbitrary point from which the entires site is measured and recorded
Grid unit
- a specific square or rectangular area in the Cartesian coordinate system, designated by the coordinate in one corner (often the SW corner)
Grid with baulks
- unexcavated portion of each unit
- established Ali g all grid lines
- bails serve as footprints for excavator
- preserve a vertical record of the stratigraphy
- works best with larger grid squares
Checkerboard patterns/ technique
- excavate every other u it or every other row
- works better with smaller grid squares
Documentation
- all deposits must be recorded in 3 dimensions
- plans and profiles
- levels
- point plotting of special finds
Consolidation and restoration
- deposits without architecture are backfilled with dirt from the excavation
- standing architecture may be consolidated and reconstructed
- re- placement of collapsing masonry blocks
- use of natural materials and/ or cement to prevent further collapses
Special excavation issues
- fragile objects
- breaks
- structures and pits
Technology
- the set of techniques and the body of information that provided ways to convert raw materials into tools, to procure and process food, to construct and locate food and so on. Technology allows humans to exploit their environment
Topics in lithos technology
- tool production
- food procurement
- tool use
- craft specialization/ workshops
- exchange patterns/ raw materials procurement
- understand the relationship between style and technology
- … social meanings expressed in technological variation
- … variation between social groups in the use of technology
Direct percussion
Striking a core directly with a hammer stone or antler billet, or striking the core against a fixed stone or anvil
- used for initial shaping
Indirect percussion
- striking a punch, usually made of wood or bone, placed against a core
- used for tool shaping
Pressure flaking
- applying pressure against a core with a punchy usually made of wood or bone
- often used for final shaping or to create prismatic blades
Retouch (or marginal retouch$
- minimal flaking sling the edge of a piece
- generally used for sharpening or resharpening
San Esteban site, Belize
- Tool production
- Cherry and chalcedony raw materials common on area
- a lot of lithos production, a lot of cores found
- because material is in abundance can use tools for what they need and then dispose it