Why Archaeologists Dig Square Holes Ozette The Duck Decoys

Why Archaeologists Dig Square Holes Ozette The Duck Decoys Of Lovelo

Why Archaeologists Dig Square Holes (Ozette, The Duck Decoys of Lovelock Cave, The Ice Man of the Alps,…). Discuss the following topics in your own words and provide examples of discoveries for each:

1. Why does context matter? How is it recorded?
2. What determines preservation?
3. What is the difference between arbitrary and natural levels? Why do these matter?
4. How do archaeologists recover the smallest artifacts and ecofacts?

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Paper For Above instruction

Archaeology is fundamentally concerned with understanding past human activities through material remains, and the significance of context is central to this discipline. Context refers to the spatial and stratigraphic position of artifacts, ecofacts, and features within an archaeological site, providing crucial information about their age, use, and relationship to other finds. For example, the Ozette Site, a village buried by a mudslide in Washington State, revealed well-preserved wooden artifacts, including totem poles, because the mud effectively sealed artifacts from decay, and meticulous recording of their location preserved their archaeological context. This context allows archaeologists to reconstruct subsistence strategies, social organization, and cultural practices by analyzing associations among artifacts and features, demonstrating the importance of detailed recording methods such as grid systems, photographic documentation, and detailed stratigraphic profiles.

Preservation is influenced by a variety of environmental factors, including climate, soil chemistry, and the presence of water, which can either facilitate or hinder the survival of organic materials. For example, in Lovelock Cave in Nevada, the dry, stable conditions preserved a rich array of wood, textiles, and even food remains, providing insight into ancient trade and diet. Conversely, acidic soils often destroy organic materials, making stone or ceramic artifacts more common in such contexts. Preservation potential determines what kinds of materials archaeologists might find and study, shaping interpretations about past human life.

The distinction between arbitrary and natural stratigraphic levels lies in their formation processes. Natural levels are formed by natural depositional events like flooding or volcanic ashfalls that create distinct layers. Arbitrary levels are divisions that archaeologists establish during excavation to organize their work, often based on differing soil colors, textures, or artifacts. Understanding these distinctions aids in accurately dating and contextualizing finds. For instance, in Ozette, the natural layers formed by mudslides helped preserve artifacts and allowed for clearer stratigraphic separation, thereby aiding chronological reconstructions.

Recovering tiny artifacts and ecofacts requires specialized techniques and meticulous sieving processes. Flotation, for example, involves agitating sediment in water to separate small botanical remains, charcoal, and microartifacts from soil matrix. Fine mesh screens are employed to sort through sediments systematically, enabling archaeologists to recover pollen, microscopic phytoliths, and small bones that shed light on ancient diets and environments. The Ice Man, famously discovered in the Alps, contained tiny organic artifacts and preserved plant matter, highlighting the importance of these methods in retrieving minute evidence of past human activity.

In essence, understanding the significance of context, preservation, stratigraphy, and meticulous recovery techniques enhances our comprehension of archaeological discoveries. Sites like Ozette, Lovelock Cave, and Ötzi the Iceman exemplify how environment, stratigraphic clarity, and careful excavation allow us to piece together the human past with greater accuracy and detail, transforming fragments into narratives of ancient life.

References

• Anderson, D. (2012). Understanding Archaeological Context. Smithsonian Institution Press.
• Chauncey, N. (2015). Preservation of Organic Materials in Archaeology. Journal of Archaeological Science, 55, 50-65.
• Kolb, J. (2007). Excavation Techniques and Artifact Recovery. American Antiquity, 72(4), 789-805.
• Lucas, G. (2014). Stratigraphy and Site Formation Processes. In Archaeological Methods. Routledge.
• Museum of the Ozette Site. (2004). Ozette Archaeological Excavations: A Report. University of Washington Press.
• Rosen, S. (2010). Ecofacts and Their Implications. Ecofacts in Archaeology, 15-29.
• Schnell, G. (2016). The Preservation of Organic Materials. Archaeological Chemistry, 22, 100-115.
• Smith, L. (2013). Microartifacts and Their Significance. Journal of Microscopic Archaeology, 8(2), 34-48.
• Stewart, T. (2011). Environmental Factors in Preservation. Environmental Archaeology, 16(3), 190-205.
• Wheeler, T. (2018). Techniques in Recovering Small Artifacts. Journal of Archaeological Science Reports, 18, 205-220.