Page 4 - Jul-Sep 2017

an archaeologist is a scientist
EXCAVATION TO PRESERVATION civilization of the past through
who studies the human
An excavation is the systematic unearthing of data and facts from an the discovery and analysis of
archaeological site. What earlier started as a treasure hunt, has evolved human remains, shelter ruins
to something more. Excavations help in seeking an understanding of the and material objects.
sequence of human activity on a given site, and that site’s relationship with its Srija Mukherjee, VIIIC, Gokhale Memorial
contemporary sites and the landscape in which it is unearthed. Girls’ School, Kolkata

RESEARCH

before an excavation is carried out, the REPORTING PRESERVATION
background of the area must be researched. Documentation is an integral artefacts are safely stored
These include historical maps, myths and stories. process of any excavation. at a state archaeology
a report containing all office, museum, or
information gathered from research facility so that
the site is prepared. they are available for
future study.
SURVEY

a site survey is done to determine potential significance ANALYSIS
of a site and to decide where it would be appropriate to
conduct further excavation. This is done usually either after the excavation of a site is complete, the site is
with remote sensing or direct visual observation. remote filled with the dugout soil and the artefacts are taken
sensing methods include aerial photography, ground for analysis to the lab. attempts are made to determine
penetrating radar used to locate archaeological remains how old the artefacts are. Date can be attached by
below the ground and liDar (light Detection and using artefacts found in the site with known dates
ranging), used to scan the surface from the air. (diagnostic artefacts). radiocarbon dating and other
such methods are used too.

EXCAVATION
There are three basic types of archaeological excavations. COLLECTION AND RECORDING
research excavation –excavation of the site in a planned The objects dug out
manner lasting over a period of time. are then marked and
rescue excavation – excavation that happens when the placed in cordoned off
site is threatened by modern construction. squares to represent
Salvage excavation - when excavation becomes a each grid square. This
damage limitation exercise. i.e. to save helps in the study
(salvage) whatever is possible. of the object and its
specific location.

The Excavation Exercise

THE GRID
STRATIGRAPHY
it is a common practice of excavators to lay out a grid of
archaeologists dig the ground 5 m squares so as to facilitate the process.
respecting the stratigraphy
(study of rock layers). artefacts
found in the lower levels usually TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY
are older than the ones found in some of the tools used are trowel, measure, brush, line,
the higher level. spade and dental tool. Modern technologies like radar,
geo-physics and aerial photography is applied too.

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