Journeyman Core Lessons in Field Archaeology

Welcome to the Journeyman Core Lessons in Field Archaeology! This is a series of lessons that teach an apprentice the ins and outs of setting up an excavation in the field. For this section, we will be using Field Archaeology: An Introduction by Peter L. Drewett, available in the History section of the Order Library. The text contains information on surveying, excavation methods, and planning a dig. At the end of these lessons, an apprentice should have a clear understanding of these various facets and be able to organize their own dig if they chose to. Answers to questions will be in short answer form, requiring only a paragraph or two for each. On behalf of the Guild, good luck on this next phase of your journey and if you have any questions, get in touch with your mentor.

Read Chapter 1 and answer the following short answer questions:


1) What is your definition of archaeology? Is it similar to or different then the way it is presented in the text?

2) What is Field Archaeology? Why is it important to the study of Archaeology?

3) Who does Field Archaeology? What are the different reasons for doing it?

4) Describe the theoretical basis of Field Archaeology.

5) What are the two main elements of management of field projects?

Read Chapter 2 and answer the following questions:


1) Discuss primary and secondary uses in terms of field archaeology.

2) How do archaeologists define rubbish? What can it tell us about archaeological sites?

3) Are burial remains considered rubbish? Why or Why not?

4) Describe site abandonment.

5) How does nature transform abandoned sites?

Read Chapter 3 and answer the following questions:


1) What is the role of existing knowledge in locating archaeological sites?

2) How do archaeologists use documents to locate sites?

3) How is aerial photography used in locating archaeological sites?

4) Describe the different ways in which an archaeologist can conduct a ground survey.

5) What is geophysical survey? Why would this be considered for locating archaeological sites?

6) Describe chemical survey techniques and what archaeologists can learn from them.

7) Under what circumstances are most accidental discoveries of archaeological sites made?

Read Chapter 4 and answer the following questions:


1) Describe the different methods of written description. What elements should be integrated with them to make a complete picture of an archaeological site?

2) What is the process of archaeological surveying? What is the simplest form?

3) What role does photography play in recording a site?

Read Chapter 5 and answer the following questions:


1) What is the first stage of planning an excavation? Why is this important?


2) What are the two most potentially dangerous aspects of an archaeological excavation?

3) Explain some aspects of staffing, equipment, and logistics that you may want to consider before beginning an excavation?

4) Do you agree with the statement “The excavator should be able to select the most appropriate excavation approach from a range?” Why or why not?

5) What are the different levels of recovery? What do they pertain to?

Read Chapter 6 and answer the following questions:


1) What are some things to consider when managing a dig site?

2) What is the aim of excavation?

3) What are contexts and how do they relate to excavating?

4) What is one of the most important things to remember when excavating?

5) How should sites without features be excavated?

6) What are the role of artifacts and ecofacts at an archaeological site? What things can they tell us about it?

7) What are the principles of terminus post quem and terminus ante quem?

8 ) How are phases established at a site?

9) How does stratification help in dating a site?

10) Do you think the public should be allowed access to archaeological dig sites? Why or why not?

Read Chapter 7 and answer the following questions:


1) What is the favored method of written record for an archaeological site? What are the different parts of this format?

2 What are the different types of drawing plans for an archaeological record. What determines which one is used?

3) Describe the role of the photographic record.

4) What other records does the finds record integrate with?

Read Chapter 8 and answer the following questions:


1) What is the first stage of a post excavation program?

2) What is considered as important as a detailed analysis of an artifacts chemical composition or typology?

3) Describe the different materials that may be investigated in a finds analysis. WHat can these things tell us about the site?

Read Chapter 9 and answer the following questions:


1) What is the role of interpretation of an archaeological site?

2) How does a site’s past environment shape the interpretation of a site?

3) What is considered the most important area in understanding a site’s interpretation?

4) What other areas do archaeologists consider when developing the interpretation of a site?