How are excavations conducted?
An archaeological excavation is a careful and systematic procedure. The purpose of an excavation is to recover objects and data pertaining to the context and pattern of the remains. Scientific excavation minimizes damage to the site and maximizes the information obtainable from it. Each site is divided into units, or squares, of an equal size. Each square is designated by a unique numbering code. The location of remains found are recorded by square, which allows for pattern recognition later. Each square is excavated in thin layers or levels, with each level’s finds kept separate from other levels in that square. This also allows for pattern recognition, because artifacts found closer to the top of the site are younger than artifacts found deeper in the site. Vertical control is maintained with a surveyor’s transit (a surveying instrument) that references all remains and levels to a permanent benchmark (datum) with a known elevation. Datum points that may be used are a point on a tree,
