Week 2 Part 2

Question 1

Why is it that excavation must be taken so seriously?

Answer 1

• As it is an inherently destructive process, we can only do it once
• > Once excavated, written and photographic evidence must be used to recreate what is found
• > Or we use non-destructive methods
• There are legal obligations to dig carefully

Question 2

Why do we leave a portion of the deposit in tact?

Answer 2

Because future technology may provide us with better opportunities for analysis

Question 3

Define stratigraphy

Answer 3

The study of the relative positions of strata and their relationship to the geological timescale

Question 4

What is the Law of Association? (different to law of superposition)

Answer 4

Material in a single stratum (single depositional unit) is part of the same time frame

Question 5

What are the big four developments in excavation techniques?

Answer 5

1/ Trench digging (typically cross shape)
2/ Parallel trenches (Augustus Pitt Rivers)
-> emerged due to understanding of stratigraphic excavation
3/ Quadrant excavation - (Albert van Giffen)
4/ Mortimer Wheelers used grid system then once having reached stratum of interest, would destroy the balks