The most fundamental part in archaeology is site gridding and documentation
Gridding helps to gather information concerning the past activities and the way of life of the population, that once inhabited that site. It is essential for an anthropologist to aspire towards exploring various sites gridding and documenting any material present to get accustomed to the practice and challenges of archaeology. This essay focuses on analyzing observations made in an archaeological site applying anthropological knowledge to help frame a better understanding of learning about the human past using material culture.
Description of the Site
The archaeological site borders two permanent stone buildings on the southern side and a stream on the northern direction. This site is a large field, which has rare signs of human activities. There are few human footsteps evident. Rocks and sticks are scattered everywhere. The site is approximately 60 feet in diameter with sparse plants surrounding the field. On the eastern side of the field, there are dig out places signifying the work of nature. Due to sheet and splash erosions, small reels and depressions are forming heading towards the stream. The site has an elevation of about 20° tapering towards the stream. A footpath that is not frequently followed cuts across the site. The ground is soft and can be easily dug using sticks, hoes or shovels. Along the walls of the stream, there is a grass carpet extending towards the fringes. Iron pieces, stones, small rocks, wood fragments, clay deposits, and sharp sticks are present along the banks on the stream. The iron pieces are old and covered with rust. Detailed exploration of the site shows soiled plastic tins and bags are slightly exposed from the ground.
Description of the Artifacts
Several artifacts are unearthed from the site. There are numerous strange looking objects, and some of them resemble the ancient Egyptian calligraphy. I documented all these objects noting their color, shape, weight, material, quantity, and texture.
Artifact 1
This object was reddish assuming an oblong shape. The object had a smooth texture and weighed about 1 pound. The object was made of clay with bright spots once you scratch the top layer. There were about six similar objects available along the stream banks appearing few inches apart. The object was probably used to store fluids. Some of these objects were broken whereas others were leaking water.
Artifact 2
This object was grey. The object assumed a square shape with a rough and scratchy texture. The material used to make the specific object resembles clay but not fragile as artifact 1. The object weighs about 4 pounds with no design or markings available. On one side of each object, some traces of patina can be easily traced. The patina means that the object was used over a fire. These materials are covered by sand and are scattered everywhere in that site. Four similar objects were retrieved from the small reels formed by erosion.
Artifact 3
This object was black. It was long with a rough texture. Scratch marks can be easily recognized along the edges. The object weighs about 6 pounds. The round edges look like they were used to scratch items. Only one object of this sort was located at this site. The object seemed like it was crafted from hard rocks with no specific design or markings available.
Artifact 4
A black object with a round shape. The object weighs about 7 pounds. The object is rough with a scratchy surface. The material used to make the object is unknown. It has some clay lining on one side, and the other side has some traces of patina meaning that it was used over a fire. Only one object was located on this site. This object did not assume any design.
Artifact 5
This object was reddish. It is round and about four inches tall. It is hollow with one solid end and an open end. The object is smooth and the material used to make it resembles red clay. The items assume a round design. Three similar objects were dug from the site. Two of these objects were broken, and only one piece was retrieved. The object looks like it was used to drink or put some fluid. The object weighs about 7 pounds.
Artifact 6
This artifact was greyish. It assumed a round shape and weighed about 3 pounds. It has a smooth texture and is made of clay. The object has a diameter of about 14 cm. A number of similar objects assume a specific design. These objects look like they were used to hold something such as food. Four similar objects were retrieved from the reels and stream banks. No specific interval of getting these objects but two of them were recovered at the same spot.
Importance of the Site and Artifacts
After collecting all the artifacts and documenting their details, I can conclude that the area was once home to many Native Americans. The field is likely to have been used for cooking purposes or storing their crockery. Majority of the artifacts documented are likely to be kitchen utensils used by Native Americans. It is essential to protect and manage such archaeological sites since they are limited, finite and non-renewable resources. Archaeological sites possess irreplaceable information about the past and the potential for an increase in future knowledge. Protecting archaeological sites and artifacts is an essential mean of maximizing the survival of information regarding the history. These sites also play a significant role in education, leisure, and tourism.
Archaeological Methods of Interpreting the Site and Artifacts
Archaeologists are likely to be stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to the interpretation of archaeological data. Currently, industrial archaeologists use three significant ways of interpreting artifacts. Personalization, engineering analysis and modern methods of archeometry help to explain sites and artifacts. Individual objects documented in a site can reveal the actual work of a particular artisan who was handling the tools. Personalization involves the close study of artifacts to enable the archaeologist to get in contact with the work of the artisan without the involvement of a recording observer. The inner surface of an artifact usually helps archaeologists to get the direct indications of the procedures used by the maker of the artifact. Scribe lines also show how the artisan marked their layout of the artifact before filing it to shape (Hodder, 1982). Archaeologist's knowledge on the names of artisans who made particular objects and the availability of documents supplementing information derived from archaeological sites help interpret sites and artifacts. This technique of analyzing individual objects is also applied to structures and archaeological sites to evaluate the design and construction of a factory.
Engineering analysis involves the application of modern engineering principles to test the design and performance of a specific artifact. Engineering mechanics is an excellent example of an advanced technology used to discover the weak points of a structure and determine how well the designers used materials of construction (Billington & Mark, 1984). Archeometry is another technique used to interpret archeological sites. This technique involves the use of optical microscope and lab equipment to reveal information on how artifacts were made. It also explains the artisan's skills and understanding of designing their materials (Gordon, 2000). A practical example of archeometry is the discovery of lead smelting in Greenland ice cap during the classical times. In this site, personalization and archeometry would help to interpret the artifacts present since it will help get into contact with the work of the artisan.
Challenges Faced by Archaeologists in Piecing Together the Past
The changing research directions in archaeology goes hand in hand with intellectual challenges that are faced by archaeologists in piecing together the past. One of the significant problem facing archaeologists is the interpretation of the discovered artifacts since there is no one alive who made, used or saw these objects in operation. Therefore, archaeologists are forced to use their scientific knowledge to speculate on the objects’ purpose. The modern culture also influences archaeologists. The lack of substantial written historical records about people in the past makes it hard for current experts to interpret artifacts. These experts are likely to be influenced by their cultures when interpreting these artifacts.
Conclusion
Archaeology aims to understand how and why human behavior has changed over time Archaeological discoveries connect people to their history by linking the recent and the ancient past. Long-term artifact preservation and study is essential since it protects the physical validations of the people’s past. In conclusion, the history serves as a cultural heritage and understanding it helps in planning and shaping human behavior.
References
Billington, D. P., & Mark, R. (1984). The cathedral and the bridge: Structure and symbol. Technology and Culture, 25(1), 37-52.
Gordon, R. B. (2000). Analysis and Interpretation of Artifacts in Industrial Archeology. IA. The Journal of the Society for Industrial Archeology, 103-111.
Hodder, I. (1982). Symbols in Action: Ethnoarchaeological Studies of Material Culture. Cambridge University Press.
