Archaeologist's Fieldwork Guide
Description
The Archaeologist's Fieldwork Guide is the must-have companion for anyone planning and performing fieldwork, whether a student going into the field for the first time or a professional archaeologist with years of real-world experience. Designed to be an all-in-one informational toolkit, the Guide is packed with the technical and practical information archaeologists need to know when in the field--supported by more than 400 lists and checklists, planning aids, measurement charts and tables, analysis and classification guides, sample forms, abbreviations and codes, and much more.
Fully revised throughout, the second edition features two entirely new chapters on technology in the field and the archaeology laboratory, incorporating current tools and technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS), 3D data capture and modeling, DNA extraction, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanning, remotely controlled drones, and underground mapping. New and updated coverage includes flotation samples and processing, oxidizable carbon ratio dating, phytolith sampling, and water screening.
* Covers classification and typology, creating forms and records, measurement and conversion, laboratory handling and processing, artifact mapping, drawing, and photographing
* Offers new and updated material on legislation regarding archaeological fieldwork and emerging topics such as community engagement and public archaeology.
* Provides up-to-date definitions and explanations of key terms and new diagrams, line drawings, and glosses
* Includes a guide to research publication, an extensive bibliography, references to relevant associations and publications, and information on where to buy supplies
The Archaeologist's Fieldwork Guide, Second Edition is an indispensable resource for undergraduate and graduate archaeology students, students taking courses in anthropology, ethnography, and cultural resource management (CRM), archaeology enthusiasts and volunteers, and professional archeologists at any level.
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Person
BARBARA ANN KIPFER is a prominent lexicographer, linguist, and archaeologist. She is the author of more than sixty-five books in several fields, including Dictionary of Artifacts (Wiley Blackwell, 2007), and Encyclopedic Dictionary of Archaeology, Second Edition (2021). Dr. Kipfer is a Registered Professional Archaeologist and has worked as a lexicographer for forty years.
Content
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 Classification and Typology
Appliqué types
Artifact industries
Assemblage types
Attributes, basic categories of
Attributes of flakes illo
Basket parts
Basketry types
Binford pipestem chronology
Bone classi¿cation and description
Bottle mold types/bottle manufacturing types
Bottle parts
Boundary types
Burial types and descriptions
Button attributes
Cemetery types
Ceramics attributes
Ceramics bases
Ceramics basic body shapes
Ceramics classi¿cation by attributes
Ceramics decoration types
Ceramics ¿uid/liquid decoration types
Ceramics fragment size classi¿cation
Ceramics identi¿cation chart
Ceramics rim classes
Ceramics type-function classi¿cation
Ceramics vessel parts
Ceramics ware-fabric classi¿cation
Ceramics ware-fabric classi¿cation, historical
Clay types
Coinage types
Context types
Data types, historical
Debitage types (lithic)
Ef¿gy classi¿cation
Figurine description
Glass attributes
Glass classi¿cation
Glaze classi¿cation
Ground stone attributes
Ground stone uses
Invertebrate classi¿cation
Lithics attributes
Lithics use-wear traits
Materials basic categories
Metal artifact categories
Mohs scale of hardness
Munsell sheets illo
Nail classi¿cation
Particle size descriptions
Perforation types
Plant remains categories
Projectile point attributes
Projectile point parts and measures
Shell classi¿cation
Site by function
Site by type
Soil classi¿cation, general
Soil horizons and subdivisions
Soil layers
Soil particle shape
Soil structure types
Soil taxonomy
Soil textural classes
Stone tool classi¿cation, ¿aked or chipped
Stone tool classi¿cation, ground
Stone tool parts
Stratigraphical context and relationship types
Survey classes
Survey methods of inspection
Timber/jointing description terms
Tin can types
Tooth types
Tyler Scale/grades of clastic sediments
Units and spatial divisions
Vertebrate classi¿cation
Wentworth Grain Size Classi¿cation
2 Forms and Records
Agreement between landlord/property owner and survey party
Artifact/¿eld specimen inventory or catalog (1, 2)
Artifact (provenience) label/tag (1, 2)
Basketry record
Building/structure inventory form
Bulk sample log
Bulk soil sample label/tag
Burial record
Catalog card
Catalog form/site catalog form/¿eld catalog/catalog log
Ceramic recording form
Coin catalog card
Context recording form
Crew attendance sheet
CRM Federal bid form requirements
CRM Phase I ¿eld notes and records
CRM Phase I shovel test bag label
CRM Phase II ¿eld notes and records
CRM Phase II artifact bag label
CRM Phase III ¿eld notes and records
Daily ¿eld report
Daily vehicle log
Datable sample form
Debitage form (lithic)
Diet evidence chart
Drawings catalog
Ecological information form
Excavation level form
Excavation record
Excavation summary form/unit summary form
Faunal attribute record
Feature catalog
Feature form
Feature level form
Feature record log
Feature summary form/feature record (1, 2)
Field laboratory log
Field inventory form
Field notebook system
Figurine record
Garbage project form
Gift form
Grain size analysis form
Historical resources inventory
Human remains occurrence form
Level bag inventory
Level label/tag
Level log/master unit log
Masonry form
Minimum collection unit (MCU) log
Oral history form
Participant note form
Perishables record
Photographic log
Photographic log, digital
Photographic log, Polaroid
Photographic record form
Point location catalog
Pollen count record
Provenience designation catalog
Provenience designation form
Rock art record
Sample bag label/tag
Shovel test pit form
Site record/site report/site inventory/site survey report
Site survey record
Skeleton recording form
Skin and hide record
Special ¿nds form
Storage log, on-site
Stratigraphic description form
Stratigraphy record
Study unit catalog
Study unit form
Textile record
Total station datum table
Total station ¿eld notes form
Wall pröle/plan view form
Wood and cane record
3 Lists and Checklists
Analysis-in-the-¿eld equipment list
Arbitrary levels, working in
Artifact examination methods
Artifact ¿eld procedure
Artifact handling and lifting
Artifact packing
Artifact sampling, special
Augering and coring
Basket parts
Basketry/bark/wood ¿eld conservation
Boat kit list
Bone identi¿cation chart
Bone/antler/ivory/shell ¿eld conservation
Bulk provenience procedure
Burial excavation and observations
Burial variables checklist
Cataloging equipment list
Cataloging procedure
Ceramics ¿eld conservation
Closing out a level
Context assessment
Coordinate grid, setting up
CRM (Cultural Resource Management) phases
CRM Phase I shovel testing
CRM Phase I shovel testing equipment
Cross-sectioning a feature
Dating methods by material
Direction ¿nding with compass
Disturbance/exposure types
Dump/sifting area placement
Ecological sample collection
Emergency/disaster strategies, first aid
Excavation equipment list/¿eld kit
Excavation ¿ow chart
Excavation grid, setting up by taping/triangulation
Excavation grid, setting up with right angle
Excavation rules
Expedient grid, setting up
Faunal collection, analysis, and identi¿cation
Features guidelines
Field clothing list
Field conservation initial steps
Field crew
Field etiquette
Field hazards
Field note-taking
Field vehicle equipment list
Field walking
Fieldwork competence guidelines
Fieldwork tools illos
First aid kit illo Poisonous plants
Flaked stone artifact identi¿cation
Flora collection, analysis, and identi¿cation
GPS use
Ground search survey considerations
Ground stone artifact identi¿cation
Harris Matrix
Harris Matrix illo
Hearth identi¿cation
Historical documents
Hot weather tips
Indicators of potential archaeological site
Knife sharpening
Labeling site grids
Landowner interview questions
Landscape reconstruction sources
Leather/skins/textiles/cordage ¿eld conservation
Level subdividing
Level sheet recording
Lithics ¿eld conservation
Lithics identi¿cation chart
Locating a site within a section
Masonry and brick description terms
Metal artifact analysis steps
Metal ¿eld conservation
Oral history instructions
Photo menu board use
Pit identi¿cation
Point provenience procedure
Pollen sample collection
Post mold identi¿cation
Powers' Scale of Roundness for grains
Preparing to go on a dig
Reconnaissance equipment
Recording artifacts with residues
Recoding artifact findspot
Recording artifact quarry
Recording artifact scatter
Recording cores
Recording features
Recording flaked stone artifacts
Recording rock art
Recording shell midden
Recording stratigraphic profile
Recording standing structure
Recording stone arrangements
Recording tools' function
Research design
Rock and mineral identi¿cation chart
Sample collection
Sampling deep-site excavation
Sampling strategy decisions
Sampling strategy types
Sampling techniques
Screen mesh chart
Screening
Sediment texture tests
Shell analysis steps
Single-context planning
Soil analysis checklist
Soil analysis procedure
Soil samples
Soil types' effects on materials
Strata, de¿ning individual
Stratigraphic/natural level excavation method
Structural remains guidelines
Supervisor checklist
Supervisor sample budget
Surface observations checklist
Surface survey basic observations
Survey preparation
Survey team responsibilities
Survival kit
Taping instructions
Telescope setup and use
Theodolite/transit/dumpy level setup
Theodolite/transit/dumpy level use
Tree-ring sample collection
Trench shoring
Trenching types
Troweling method
Unit completion
Unit excavation
Vertical-face excavation methods
When you find a potential site
4 Mapping, Drawing, and Photography
Drawing a plan with offsetting
Drawing a site plan
Drawing a skeleton
Drawing architectural plans
Drawing artifact details
Drawing, drafting, and mapping equipment list
Drawing earth types in sections
Drawing frame use
Drawing from a digital photograph
Drawing instructions
Drawing outline of an artifact
Drawing profiles and sections
Drawing scale change using a photocopier
Drawing scales
Drawing small ¿nds
Drawing special sections
Drawing stages for artifacts
Drawing stone artifacts
Drawing symbols for archaeology
Drawings, types of archaeological
Map colors
Map, making sketch
Map, reading topographic
Map scales, USGS
Map symbols
Mapping a site
Mapping and drawing features
Mapping and surveying equipment list
Mapping and surveying symbols
Mapping instruments
Mapping / plotting contour lines
Mapping scales and areas
Mapping to scale for artifacts
Mapping with plane table
Mapping-with-plane-table equipment
Maps for archaeological sites
Photographic equipment list
Photographic guidelines
Photographs, aerial
Photographs to be taken
Photography, digital
Photo menu board use
5 Measurement and Conversion
Alidade care and adjustment
Area calculation
Baseline/datum line, datum point, site benchmark and datum plane,
site reference point
Bearing using protractor illo
Bearings calculation
Benchmark tying to datum point
Compass points-to-degrees conversion
Compass positioning illo
Datum line ranging with tape
Dumpy level use
EDM use to set up a grid
GPS information
Horizontal angle measurement
How to set up a level
Level-taking in unit
Level-taking of sites and features
Lines or transects layout
Locating to an Ordnance Survey map
Locating to the National Grid
Map area to field area conversion
Map scale equivalents
Measurement conversion guide
Measurement equipment
Measuring around/over obstacles
Measuring depth of an artifact or feature
Measuring distance
Measuring heights and elevation
Offsetting
Orienting a compass to a map
Perpendiculars
Plane table use
Planimeter use
Plumbing a line
Plumbing the line/taping a slope
Radial measurement
Radiocarbon sample size
Right triangle, sine, cosine, tangent
Rim measuring scale
Sample sizes
Site grid establishment
Slope calculation
Stadia formula
Stadia reduction tables
Subdatum points
Surveying tables
Surveying with a hand level
Surveying common errors
Tape measurements
Taping a slope
Taping common errors
Taping procedures
Theodolite use
Theodolite use to set up a grid
Three-point problem
> Biface/projectile point parts illo
Total station use
Transferring height from benchmark to temporary benchmark
Transit, theodolite, dumpy level set-up
Transit-stadia traverse measurement
Traverse recording
Triangulation
UTM coordinate counter illo
UTM grid location of archaeological site
Vertical angle measurement
Vertical distance measurement
Vertical provenience measurement illo
Vessel measurement
Vessel measurement illo
Weights, measures, temperatures (equivalents)
6 Technology in the Field
Acoustic research/archaeoacoustics
Augering and coring
Computer tablet use
DNA sampling
Drone use
Electric resistance surveying
Field walking
Flotation sampling
Geomagnetic surveying
Geophysical techniques and underground mapping
GIS overlays illo
GIS tool use
Ground-penetrating radar
LiDAR illo
LiDAR use
Major scientific dating methods
Mechanical Excavator Use
Metal detector use
Optically stimulated luminescence
Oxidizable carbon ratio dating
Photogrammetry
Phytolith sampling
Pollen sampling
Radiocarbon dating sources of error
Radiocarbon formation illo
Reflectance transformation imaging
Satellite imagery
Space archaeology
Strontium-isotope sampling
3D data capture and modeling
Thermoluminescence illo
Two-bucket flotation system illo
Water screening
Web-based archaeology, Internet presence
7 Archaeology Laboratory
Archiving tips
Artifact cataloging
Artifact conservation
Artifact handling and cleaning
Artifact handling and cleaning, specific
Artifact labeling
Artifact sorting
Artifact storage
Field lab processing illo
Flow of artifacts through lab illo
Lab analysis
Lab environment
Lab equipment
Lab safety
Lab use rules
Modeling or reconstruction
Record storage on computer
Record storage types
Reporting results and publication
8 Abbreviations and Codes
Animal taxon codes
Bone and antler artifact codes
Bone codes
Ceramics burnish and luster codes
Ceramics codes
Ceramics construction and surface treatment codes
Ceramics excision and incision codes
Ceramics fabric codes
Ceramics fragment size codes
Ceramics painted motif codes
Ceramics ware color codes/Munsell codes
Chipped stone artifact codes
Clay pipe codes
Field report abbreviations
Geologic codes
Glass artifact codes
Ground stone artifact codes
Organic artifact codes
Packaging composition codes
Shell artifact codes
Stone codes
Surveying abbreviations
Tooth artifact codes
9 Resources
Archaeological associations
Archaeological journals
Bibliography
Ethics in ¿eld archaeology
Federal (U.S.) legislation regarding archaeology
Fieldwork information sources
International archaeology ethics, laws, policies
Labor rights for paid workers in archaeology
U.S. State Historic Preservation Of¿cers (SHPO)
U.S. Federal archaeology information
U.S. protection of archaeological resources
(including permit requirements)
Where to buy equipment, supplies
Index
1
Classification and Typology
Classifications are central to archaeology and classification schemes may be useful to archaeologists in the field. Archaeologists can use taxonomic classification to organize artifacts around a dimension and may also break a dimension into more specific units. There are various ways in which field archaeologists set about making and using classifications to meet a variety of practical needs. Though much classification takes place in the laboratory and office, there are some classification needs in the field and this chapter provides basic typologies that may be useful during excavations.
CONTENTS
- Appliqué types
- Artifact industries
- Assemblage types
- Attributes, basic categories of
- Basket parts
- Basketry types
- Binford pipestem chronology
- Bone classification and description
- Bottle mold types/bottle manufacturing types
- Bottle parts
- Boundary types
- Burial types and descriptions
- Button attributes
- Cemetery types
- Ceramics attributes
- Ceramics bases
- Ceramics basic body shapes
- Ceramics classification by attributes
- Ceramics decoration types
- Ceramics fluid/liquid decoration types
- Ceramics fragment size classification
- Ceramics identification chart
- Ceramics rim classes
- Ceramics type-function classification
- Ceramics vessel parts
- Ceramics ware-fabric classification
- Ceramics ware-fabric classification, historical
- Clay types
- Coinage types
- Context types
- Data types, historical
- Debitage types (lithic)
- Effigy classification
- Figurine description
- Glass attributes
- Glass classification
- Glaze classification
- Ground stone attributes
- Ground stone uses
- Invertebrate classification
- Lithics attributes
- Lithics use-wear traits
- Materials basic categories
- Metal artifact categories
- Mohs scale of mineral hardness
- Nail classification
- Particle size descriptions
- Perforation types
- Plant remains categories
- Projectile point attributes
- Projectile point parts and measures
- Shell classification
- Site by function
- Site by type
- Soil classification, general
- Soil horizons and subdivisions
- Soil layers
- Soil particle shape
- Soil structure types
- Soil taxonomy
- Soil textural classes
- Stone tool classification, flaked or chipped
- Stone tool classification, ground
- Stone tool parts
- Stratigraphical context and relationship types
- Survey classes
- Survey methods of inspection
- Timber/jointing description terms
- Tin can types
- Tooth types
- Tyler Scale/grades of clastic sediments
- Units and spatial divisions
- Vertebrate classification
- Wentworth Grain Size Classification
APPLIQUÉ TYPES
Appliqué is ornamental needlework in which pieces of fabric are sewn or stuck onto a large piece of fabric or other surface to form pictures or patterns.
(representative)
- band
- band with thumb impressions and ridge
- banded finger impressions and wavy grooves
- button
- double nipple
- earlike
- fillet
- flange
- nipple
- other attachment
- parallel raised bands with finger impressions
- pellet
- perpendicular raised bands
- pie-rim
- raised angular band
- raised band
- raised band with concave groove
- raised band with finger impressions
- raised band with incisions
- smooth raised band
- snakelike
- spike
- zoomorphic
ARTIFACT INDUSTRIES
An artifact industry is a frequently repeated assemblage of a particular material or function, i.e. flake industry, flint industry. Such an assemblage of artifacts including the same types so consistently suggests that it is the product of a single society. The term also describes a large grouping of artifacts that is considered to represent or identify a particular people or culture, e.g. the Acheulian industry. If more than one class of objects (e.g. flint tools or bronze weapons) is found, it is a culture.
(representative)
- ceramic: beads, figurines, musical instruments, pottery
- lithic: chipped/flaked stone, ground stone
- metal: bronze, copper, gold, iron, silver, tin
- organic: basketry, bone, hide, horn, ivory, shell, textiles, wood
ASSEMBLAGE TYPES
An assemblage is group of objects of different or similar types found in close association with each other and thus considered to be the product of one people from one period of time.
Life assemblage: the living community or population of animals from which the remains are derived.
Death assemblage: the population of carcasses that results when life assemblage dies.
Deposited assemblage: the population of carcasses or their body parts that were deposited on an archaeological site through the actions of humans, nonhuman predators, scavengers, or such agents as gravity, water, and wind.
Fossil assemblage: a subset of the deposited assemblage that consists of those animal parts that survive in the site's deposit until their potential discovery by an archaeologist.
Sample assemblage: the portion of the fossil assemblage that has been excavated or collected and then analyzed by an archaeologist.
ATTRIBUTES, BASIC CATEGORIES OF
An attribute is a quality or characteristic ascribed to something, a construct whereby an object or entity can be distinguished.
- Form/shape attributes, such as length, width, thickness, shape.
- Stylistic/surface attributes, such as color, decoration, texture.
- Technological attributes, constituent attributes, such as the raw materials used; manufacturing attributes, such as the way it was made.
Figure 1.1 Attributes of flakes.
Reproduced with permission of Crow Canyon Archaeological Center 2001.
BASKET PARTS
(not all baskets have all parts)
- wall
- rim/selvage
- start (at bottom, where weaving starts)
- shoulder (if body narrows toward opening)
- handle(s)
- lid (which will also have a wall, rim, start)
- warp (fairly rigid foundation)
- weft (fairly flexible stitching)
BASKETRY TYPES
- Coiled: foundation of horizontal elements with rigid materials interwoven vertically; about 100 different types of coiled basketry exist.
- Plaited: weave is basically the same in both directions; simple plaiting has one element passing over another and twill plaiting has more than one element passing over more than one element.
- Twined: vertical warp foundation and horizontal weft stitching; S-twined (weft angled to maker's right) or Z-twined (weft angled to maker's left).
Figure 1.2 Basketry types.
Reproduced with permission of Mark Q. Sutton and Brooke S. Arkush 2002/Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
BINFORD PIPESTEM CHRONOLOGY
Louis Binford devised a mathematical formula to use as a dating technique for pipestems (hollow stem or tube of a pipe used for smoking tobacco) manufactured in England between approximately 1590-1800.
Diameter (in/) Dates 9/64 1590-1620 8/64 1620-1650 7/64 1650-1680 6/64 1680-1720 5/64 1720-1750 4/64 1750-1800Figure 1.3 Pipestems.
Reproduced with permission of Ivor Noël Hume 1970/Penguin Random House.
BONE CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION
Categories of bones
- flat bones (cranial, scapula)
- irregular bones
- long tubular bones (e.g. limbs)
- short/small tubular bones (e.g. metacarpals, metatarsals, phalanges)
- unknown
Position of skeleton
- lying on left side
- lying on right side
- prone
- supine
Limb position
- crouched
- extended
- flexed
- indeterminate
Condition of bone
- complete
- disturbed
- incomplete
- intact
