This handbook focuses on stratigraphy and the stratigraphic matrix, which are key tools in field archaeology to determine the chronology of any site. After a discussion of the theoretical background, the reader will find exercises ranked in order of difficulty helping them to master the concept of stratigraphy. The exercises consist in building the stratigraphic matrix of given archaeological sections that represent the main configurations an archaeologist might encounter in the field. The exercises are followed by their solutions and detailed comments. Easy to use and accessible to a large audience, this book is an indispensable companion to every student in archaeology, as well as professionals in field archaeology, whether they are beginning in their job or looking to improve their skills.
List of Figures
Foreword
How to use this book
Chapter
1. Introduction
1. What is archaeological stratigraphy?
2. The rules of stratigraphy
3. Stratigraphic units (SU)
4. Analysing and presenting stratigraphy: the matrix
5. References
6. Selected bibliography (in chronological order, by most recent)
Chapter
2. Exercises
Exercise 1: Simple succession of layers
Exercise 2: Simple succession of layers 2
Exercise 3: Large pit
Exercise 4: Large pit 2
Exercise 5: Posthole
Exercise 6: Postholes
Exercise 7: Foundation wall and wall with backfill on one side
Exercise 8: Foundation wall and wall with backfill on either side
Exercise 9: Trench build foundation wall and wall
Exercise 10: Collapsed wall
Exercise 11: Canalisation
Exercise 12: Arabian-style earth architecture
Exercise 13: Mesopotamian-style architecture
Exercise 14: Prehistoric settlement
Exercise 15: Multi-period site
Exercise 16: Traditional houses: reuse and conservation
Exercise 17: North American pit house
Exercise 18: Artisanal area
Exercise 19: Pottery kiln
Exercise 20: Mediterranean mountainous site
Exercise 21: Prior unsupervised interventions at an archaeological site
Exercise 22: Anglo-Saxon building
Exercise 23: Multi-period rural site
Exercise 24: Industrial archaeology
Exercise 25: Building archaeology
Chapter
3. Explanations and comments on the exercises
Exercise 1 (explanation): Simple succession of layers
Exercise 2 (explanation): Simple succession of layers 2
Exercise 3 (explanation): Large pit
Exercise 4 (explanation): Large pit 2
Exercise 5 (explanation): Posthole
Exercise 6 (explanation): Postholes
Exercise 7 (explanation): Foundation wall and wall with backfill on one side
Exercise 8 (explanation): Foundation wall and wall with backfill on two sides
Exercise 9 (explanation): Trench build foundation wall and wall
Exercise 10 (explanation): Collapsed wall
Exercise 11 (explanation): Canalisation
Exercise 12 (explanation): Arabian-style earth architecture
Exercise 13 (explanation): Mesopotamian-style architecture
Exercise 14 (explanation): Prehistoric settlement
Exercise 15 (explanation): Multi-period site
Exercise 16 (explanation): Traditional houses: reuse and conservation
Exercise 17 (explanation): North American pit house
Exercise 18 (explanation): Artisanal quarter
Exercise 19 (explanation): Pottery kiln
Exercise 20 (explanation): Mediterranean mountainous site
Exercise 21 (explanation): Prior unsupervised interventions at an
archaeological site
Exercise 22 (explanation): Anglo-Saxon building
Exercise 23 (explanation): Multi-period rural site
Exercise 24 (explanation): Industrial archaeology
Exercise 25 (explanation): Building archaeology
Adonice-Ackad Baaklini gained his PhD in Near Eastern Archaeology from the Sorbonne (2019), and has extensive experience in commercial and rescue archaeology. He has worked for several companies and institutions as a professional archaeologist, eventually reaching the positions of field director, scientific coordinator, and principal investigator. His responsibilities have included the training of young field archaeologists, including matrix composition.
Lisainfo e-raamatute kohta