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When transitioning from citizen to archaeologist, there is a right
of passage that we each must go through: fieldschool. Here we learn how
to most effectively wield a trowel, how to use fancy words like
dendrochronology and microblade in casual conversation, and most
importantly how to excavate. I did my University of Oregon fieldschool at Thompson Mills State
Heritage Site, under the watchful eye of Dr. Julie Schablitsky. We
excavated amongst peacocks and blackberries, alongside Oregon's oldest
water-powered grist mill. While I witnessed many wondrous things at fieldschool (such
as an abundance of worms tied in knots in my unit, and my dig partner
Danny doing the human centipede dance at lunch), I also learned a few things. Here are some key lessons about excavation I've picked up over the years.
Archaeology is a team-sport.
If you don't have a sense of humor or are not willing to cram
into a 1x1 meter unit with another sweaty person wielding a sharp
trowel, archaeology may not be for you. Fieldwork requires
communication, cooperation, and collaboration in order to function
smoothly.
The Three R's of Archaeology: Reading, Recording, and wRiting.
- Reading: A lot of work goes into all stages of a project, but most archaeologists would agree that the better prepared you are before you step foot on the site, the better you will be able to get the most out of your time in the field. So read up and do your research!
- Recording: Trust me, you will not remember where that bit of clay pipe came from next week, or even by the end of a long day. Write down everything, make lots of sketches, and artifact doodles are good too.
- wRiting: An important part of the archaeologists job is writing reports, articles, or books on their research. An archaeological project is not truly done until the results are written up and available for other researchers or interested parties to read.
The Hypotenuse of a 1x1 meter (or 5x5 foot) square.
I'll be the first to admit it. I was one of those, "when am I ever
going to need geometry in the real world?" people. And, who'd have
thought, people actually use this stuff!?
Don't be scared, other than the odd statistical calculation, you
mostly just do a lot of measuring (which, by the way, is often done
using that wacky metric system). So go ahead, ask any archaeologist
what the hypotenuse is -- they will know! (or they have been digging very
crooked squares...)
Stratigraphy: it's not just for chocolate cake.
Archaeologists are always fretting about their sidewalls. Keeping your excavation unit tidy is more than just a source of pride,
it is also useful for getting a clean profile view of the soil
stratigraphy. Soil and other material accumulates over time on the
ground, and by observing and identifying the different strata, or
layers, you can start to piece together information about the site.
Dark organic layers can indicate human occupation, ash can be left from
a fire event, sediment from a flood, etc. So keep those walls nice
and straight!
Provenience is where its at!
Almost more important than the artifact itself is its context, or is where an artifact is located in space and time. Context can be established by recording the 3-dimensional placement, or provenience, of the artifact (usually depth, and horizontal measurements), and how it is associated with the other archaeological finds in the deposit. By establishing the context of archaeological material, you can figure out events or activities that led to the placement of the artifact in the archaeological record. So when your trowel hits upon that amazing projectile point, take a deep breath, grab your tape, and measure that darn thing before you pull it out!
Almost more important than the artifact itself is its context, or is where an artifact is located in space and time. Context can be established by recording the 3-dimensional placement, or provenience, of the artifact (usually depth, and horizontal measurements), and how it is associated with the other archaeological finds in the deposit. By establishing the context of archaeological material, you can figure out events or activities that led to the placement of the artifact in the archaeological record. So when your trowel hits upon that amazing projectile point, take a deep breath, grab your tape, and measure that darn thing before you pull it out!