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[These posts are excepts from The Archaeology Coursebook by Jim Grant, Sam Gorin and Neil Fleming. This is an introductory text book which should prove useful in writing about archeologocal methods for stargate fic.]
(Note: Excerpts from the complete text)
Excavation-Part Four: Key Concepts-Stratification:
Stratigraphy, contexts and phases
In any text about archaeological sites you will come across terms such as level, layer, deposit, stratum. They describe the make-up of the excavated ground in terms of layers. These were created either by people or nature. Archaeologists attempt to carefully record these strata – the stratification. By studying their relationship they can build up a sequence of events on the site. The study of the strata is known as stratigraphy.
If no intrusive features are present (for example a pit dug from an upper/recent layer down through lower/older layers) it would be safe to assume that layers at the bottom of any sequence are older than those at the top. Each successive layer was deposited after the one directly below it. The ‘higher’ the layer, the later it is.This is sometimes referred to as ‘the law of superposition’. But life and archaeological sites are not usually that simple. Archaeologists need to establish which layers overlie others and which cut into earlier layers or are cut by later ones.
Figure 2.7 A picture that demonstrates how the law of superposition can tell a story. The female skeleton is lying above the mosaic at Kingscote and covered by building debris. The interpretation is that she was one of a number of ‘squatters’ who occupied the derelict villa building, but was killed, apparently trying to escape when it collapsed.
It is within the layers that the artefactual, environmental and dating evidence is located. Layers are a time capsule. Materials in any layer are likely to be broadly contemporary and can be dated by association with dateable evidence from that layer. The layer holds the clues to the immediate context of finds and structures. Plotting the position of each layer within the site helps determine chronological patterns. Other archaeologists will use published data about the stratification to assure themselves of the authenticity of the conclusions reached about phasing on a site.
Increasingly context is used for both layers and features. Each individual element in the stratigraphy is a context. A context might result from a single event such as a fire or roof collapse or a build up of soil against a wall over several years. The task of the digger is to identify each context and to trace the boundaries or ‘interfaces’ between contexts. This may only be detectable by minute changes in the colour, texture or composition of the soil. Typically contexts will be identified in the side of a trench by nails and labels. (More on this later)[...]. A description is also noted on a context sheet (More on this later) [...]. Once recorded, the stratigraphic relationship between contexts can be determined and a vertical, chronological sequence based on successive ‘events’ established. Stratigraphy is usually recorded in section drawings [...]. However, since 1973 the Harris Matrix has revolutionized the presentation of the sequences in schematic diagrams. This interpretative system can be applied to standing buildings and rock art as well as to excavated remains.
Click on the matrix image to view at full size. Note: You will need to click in the linked image with the 'magnifying glass' to see that image at full size.
Figure 2.8 A Harris Maitrix
Down to layer 7 in this example the law of superposition can be applied. Layers 10, 11, and 12 are similare but may not be exactly the same because of the building floor 12. These are shown in parallel. Similarly, the 2 walls are likely to be contemprary.
Context is also used in a general sense when talking about finds and their relationship to layers. This is based on the principle that objects found together in the same layer are roughly from the same period and can be dated by association with dateable evidence from that deposit (More on this later). Associated finds may also have a relationship. They may help to explain each other because they were used in the same activity or process. If the context of an artefact is not known, it is usually of little use to archaeologists.
Once sequences and associations of finds are established, different phases of the site can be determined. This relies on recognizing significant changes in the assemblages of artefacts or ecofacts or type of structures. For example, the first phase with pottery on a site might be preceded by a final aceramic phase.
http://www.harrismatrix.com
(Note: Excerpts from the complete text)
Excavation-Part Four: Key Concepts-Stratification:
Stratigraphy, contexts and phases
In any text about archaeological sites you will come across terms such as level, layer, deposit, stratum. They describe the make-up of the excavated ground in terms of layers. These were created either by people or nature. Archaeologists attempt to carefully record these strata – the stratification. By studying their relationship they can build up a sequence of events on the site. The study of the strata is known as stratigraphy.
If no intrusive features are present (for example a pit dug from an upper/recent layer down through lower/older layers) it would be safe to assume that layers at the bottom of any sequence are older than those at the top. Each successive layer was deposited after the one directly below it. The ‘higher’ the layer, the later it is.This is sometimes referred to as ‘the law of superposition’. But life and archaeological sites are not usually that simple. Archaeologists need to establish which layers overlie others and which cut into earlier layers or are cut by later ones.
Figure 2.7 A picture that demonstrates how the law of superposition can tell a story. The female skeleton is lying above the mosaic at Kingscote and covered by building debris. The interpretation is that she was one of a number of ‘squatters’ who occupied the derelict villa building, but was killed, apparently trying to escape when it collapsed.
It is within the layers that the artefactual, environmental and dating evidence is located. Layers are a time capsule. Materials in any layer are likely to be broadly contemporary and can be dated by association with dateable evidence from that layer. The layer holds the clues to the immediate context of finds and structures. Plotting the position of each layer within the site helps determine chronological patterns. Other archaeologists will use published data about the stratification to assure themselves of the authenticity of the conclusions reached about phasing on a site.
Increasingly context is used for both layers and features. Each individual element in the stratigraphy is a context. A context might result from a single event such as a fire or roof collapse or a build up of soil against a wall over several years. The task of the digger is to identify each context and to trace the boundaries or ‘interfaces’ between contexts. This may only be detectable by minute changes in the colour, texture or composition of the soil. Typically contexts will be identified in the side of a trench by nails and labels. (More on this later)[...]. A description is also noted on a context sheet (More on this later) [...]. Once recorded, the stratigraphic relationship between contexts can be determined and a vertical, chronological sequence based on successive ‘events’ established. Stratigraphy is usually recorded in section drawings [...]. However, since 1973 the Harris Matrix has revolutionized the presentation of the sequences in schematic diagrams. This interpretative system can be applied to standing buildings and rock art as well as to excavated remains.
Click on the matrix image to view at full size. Note: You will need to click in the linked image with the 'magnifying glass' to see that image at full size.
Figure 2.8 A Harris Maitrix
Down to layer 7 in this example the law of superposition can be applied. Layers 10, 11, and 12 are similare but may not be exactly the same because of the building floor 12. These are shown in parallel. Similarly, the 2 walls are likely to be contemprary.
Context is also used in a general sense when talking about finds and their relationship to layers. This is based on the principle that objects found together in the same layer are roughly from the same period and can be dated by association with dateable evidence from that deposit (More on this later). Associated finds may also have a relationship. They may help to explain each other because they were used in the same activity or process. If the context of an artefact is not known, it is usually of little use to archaeologists.
Once sequences and associations of finds are established, different phases of the site can be determined. This relies on recognizing significant changes in the assemblages of artefacts or ecofacts or type of structures. For example, the first phase with pottery on a site might be preceded by a final aceramic phase.
http://www.harrismatrix.com