Excavation

A clear account of contemporary techniques in the theory and practice of excavation.

Steve Roskams (Author)

9780521798013, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 26 March 2001

328 pages, 72 b/w illus.
24.9 x 17.6 x 2.4 cm, 0.65 kg

"Well thought out...Excavation is a worthy companion for any excavator." Canadian Field-Journal

Fieldwork in archaeology has been transformed over the past three decades. Drawing on a wealth of experience in excavating some of the most complex, deeply-stratified sites in Britain, Steve Roskams describes the changes that have taken place in the theory and practice of excavation. He then provides a clear account of contemporary techniques, covering pre-excavation reconnaissance and site evaluation, the preparations for full excavation, the actual process of excavation, and the recording of photographic, spatial, stratigraphic and physical evidence. A final chapter discusses the future of excavation. This manual will be welcomed by the professional excavator, the academic researcher, students, and the interested amateur.

Introduction
1. History of the development of techniques
2. Excavation in theory
3. Pre-excavation strategies
4. Excavation in practice: background preparations
5. Excavation in practice: preparations on site
6. A structured approach to recording
7. The photographic record
8. The spatial record
9. The stratigraphic record
10. The descriptive record: deposits
11. Non-deposit descriptions
12. Excavating the stratigraphic unit
13. Stratigraphic analysis
14. Future prospects.

Subject Areas: Palaeontology [RBX], Soil science, sedimentology [RBGB], Earth sciences [RB], Archaeology [HD]