Preparing a dig

The first stage of archaeological work consists in the thorough study of a region. This is done mainly through maps, aerial photographs and books. The archaeologist will try to know everything that will help him find sites, such as the location of previously inventoried sites, the history of the landscape, and even local folklore.

After the archaeologist has identified potential areas, the next step is go out and find the sites. This is done by digging test pits with shovels. This stage of work not only locates sites, but helps the archaeologist evaluate the content, the dimensions, and the relevance of the test pits to the specific project before any large scale excavation is undergone.

When a site has been chosen, only then will a full scale excavation get underway. The area is carefully subdivided in square meter plots. Such measuring serves as a guide during the actual dig. The soil is delicately dug up with trowels according to the different layers of soil which are encountered. Objects are localized in three dimensions, sketched on a scale map and then carefully removed and bagged individually with complete position information. Any feature such as a hearth or a post-mold are also reported on the map. The soil profiles of the excavation walls are meticulously sketched, layer by layer, to produce what is called the stratigraphy of the site.

When the fieldwork is completed, the archaeologist returns to the laboratory where all the objects and other information will be classified and analyzed. Once that stage has commenced, the archaeologist will gradually gain a better idea of the people who created that particular site in the past and of their culture. Eventually, the results will be made known to the general public as publications, museum expositions and even television programs. Some sites are opened to the public and still others, due to the delicate state of the artificats or the location, are preserved for further study by specialized academics.