What is processual archaeology?

What goes on at an archaeology site?

• I'm writing a research paper for school, and we are allowed to pick any topic that intrests us. I find archaeology interesting, though I don't know much about it. What goes on at an archaeology site?

• Answer:

  1) What tools are used? The most common tool is a trowel. Marshall town is the preferred band. Rulers and measuring devices string nails dustpans buckets Shovels Surveying equipment tripod, measuring stick, etc. Forms, forms and more forms pencils, pens, sharpies plastic bags in different sizes aluminum foil for carbon 14 material dental picks, chopsticks, toothpicks Compass GPS, Radios, maps pin flags 2) When an artifact is found, how is it extracted? It's often "pedestaled" You excavate around it leaving it on it's own column of dirt. When you reach level you return to it, measure depth, location, angle pitch, ventral or dorsal side (if a stone point or tool) Photograph it, draw it in on the form, prepare the bag and finally extract it. 3) Who make up the dig teams? (students working under archaeologist, ec) There's an archaeologist in charge, students in college archeology courses do most of the digging. Certain programs such as "Passport In Time" (www.passportintime.com) have volunteers that come to work the digs, Often the volunteer have many years experience and extensive skills. 4) On remote digs how do the team members live? (tents, dining, etc) Mostly it's "bring your own tent" Food maybe be provided by the organization, bought as a group or "bring your own." Sometimes there's barracks type lodging and cooking facilities but mostly it's camp stoves. Washing often is done with solar heated showers 5) Is there a certain method to beginning and executing the dig? (digging trenches, etc) You set a datum point for the dig. This is often a rebar set in concrete. It's location and elevation is known exactly as all measurements are run off of it. It must be located off the site where you think the artifacts are. From the datum point a grid of 1x1 meter squares is plotted. these each have a unique numbering system. First number is usually how far north or south from the datum point you are, then how far east or west. This is much the same way you read maps and find locations on maps. As example, you might be digging in a 1 by 1 meter pit numbered S20 E10. That would make it 20 meters to the south of the datum point and 10 meters east. You'd then make measurements inside the pit. Prior to the dig, there's been a survey where people have just walked the site looking for stuff on the surface. This gets plotted on a map. I worked one dig where we pit a pin flag at each artifact and someone plotted it using an accurate GPS unit. A night they downloaded the GPS and printed out a map showing where stuff was. A shovel test pit might be dug, this "should be" off a grid but could be just where the artifacts were found. That gives you an idea where stuff is. The dig is conducted locating pits where the most artifacts are and spreading out to see the extent of the site. As archeology destroys the site collecting all the information is vital. Each hour spent in the filed is matched by an hour or more working in the lab. Computers can now accurately map a site and can show in three dimensions where each artifact was found. You can go to the website below. On the 'related links page you'll be able to see digs that were conducted.