ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION

Why Excavate?

“Archaeology is Destruction” Mortimer Wheeler. To obtain material for radiometric dating. To obtain evidence relating to subsistence

economy. To obtain evidence relating to household

composition. To obtain information relating to culture – religion,

artifact types, decorative styles, etc. To obtain skeletal material which reveals

information related to health, mortuary practices, personal movements.

Excavation Strategy

If No Surface Indications (Phase I): Phosphate Testing. Shovel Testing (Hunter-Gatherer

Archaeology) Wall Scraping (Southwestern Archaeology). Digging of test pits chosen by sampling

strategy.Phase IIExpansion of excavation areas based on data

gathered during Phase I.

Mount Sandel, Co. Derry, IrelandMesolithic Settlement (7,000 BC)

Excavator: Peter Woodman

If There are Surface Indications Large Area Excavations Trenching Step Excavations

Mortimer Wheeler’s Box Grid Technique

Maiden Castle, Dorset, Excavated 1934-37

Dysart O’Dea, Co. Clare, Ireland

dysartm

The site prior to excavation

The site following excavation

Excavating the lime kiln (18th cent.)

Excavating in front of the bread oven

Tracing the bawn wall

Neolithic stone axe recovered from a grike.

Plan of structure and castle grounds