Steps in digging an archaeological site?

Question

should be step by step

Answer 1

OK - here's my universal disclaimer.

  - do not try this in your back yard.  definitely do not try this in some one else's back yard unless you have written permission.  Know what you're doing, and if you haven't participated in a few digs, go volunteer for a few digs before going "lone wolf".  Please secure all property rights, state permission, and insure compliance with all native traditions (example: Native American Indians).  Please take care of all finds, take photos, share, and propagate your insight and finds.  

1. get written permission/authorization to be at the site.

1a. get any state/federal permits secure to complete the dig. (usually best to sponsor through a university)

1b  secure the whole area that's suspected to be an archaeological site.

1c.  ask around the community for old pictures of the area, to get a "lay of the land" form the previous century of change.

2. label all existing artifacts from the site, and try to determine the locations they were found.

3. Look for surface finds, and find the field span for artifacts, and the areas of high concentration.  Carefully mark and label and mark the location of every item found.

4. Take the data, draw out on a scale map (graph paper), map the site and plot the artifact finds.

5.  Analyze the finds, determine what era(s) the site spans.  This will further help narrow the area/field to continue the search, and what to search for. (Pre-Mississippian sites will be smaller and more concentrated, while Moundbuilder stuff will be more spread out).

6.  Based on concentration/location, pick some sample pits (1'x1', dig down 8-12 inches, percisly noting all things found).

7.  Using the data/finds from sample pits - determine what sites are a possible dwelling, burial, cooking, or dump site.  Plan more archaeology accordingly.

8.  Based on the known data of the area, and the finds so far, base further exploration on a theme - i.e. why are you disturbing this site and what new insight will we hope to gain from this investigation.

9.  Dig more test pits, based around the theme of your research, so as to focus your finds on a topic or theme.

10.  After determining the target sites, map out the sites most likely to contain artifacts of interest, and set up the quadrants.  This is when the thread comes out - and each little pit is dug out inch by inch with a  brush, carefully labeling all color changes, and the position of any artifacts.

10a.  When artifacts are found, label the quadtant location and depth found, and store it safely in a plastic "ziplock" bag, for later investigation.

11.  adjust the grid-style fields accordingly, based on the scatter field of artifacts, to complete the research.

12.  If any human remains are found, stop digging and contact the proper native groups, to insure the proper re-burial rights for any and all human remains. It's best to leave the burial sites alone.

13.  Take the information and evidence, compare your finding s to the finds of similar sites, and use this to expand on your investigation.

14.    By this time, there should be some considerable data gathered on this, and similar sites.  Start organizing the data and information in a way to prove or disprove the thesis.

15.   Publish

Now - another disclaimer.  This is not a chance to play "Let's Dig for Treasure" on the archaeological site.  We investigate and disturb these sites so we can learn about the past through the eyes of these artifacts.  These sites are an important link to our past, and should be cared for with respect and caution.  They are not just dig up and auction for profit.  There are state, providential, national, and international governing bodies that protect significant sites, so haphazard digging can damage or destroy artifacts, and poor record keeping can leave you with little more than a bunch of pottery shards and arrowheads in plastic bags.