7: Excavation
- Page ID
- 78463
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- 7.1: Excavation Planning
- It is critical that nondestructive methods are used whenever possible and that excavation is used only when there is no other way to gather the data needed to accomplish the research goals. With this in mind, the first step in excavation is planning. Archaeologists must ensure that excavation proceeds in a controlled, methodical, and scientific manner. This allows for the preservation of the archaeological record through detailed recording of the data.
- 7.2: Excavating
- When the excavation method has been selected, actual digging can begin. Archaeologists are systematic when they excavate since, as mentioned earlier, archaeological data cannot be renewed. At this point, archaeologists know where they are digging and what methods they will use to dig. The next decisions to be made are related to how they will dig.
- 7.3: Chapter Seven Review
- Review important concepts and definitions of key terms.