Why is context so important in an archaeological excavation?
Posted by admin | Filed under Anthropology
Love U asked:
1) Why is context so important in an archaeological excavation?
1) Why is context so important in an archaeological excavation?
2) What favored the emergence of primates? When and where did it occur?
October 31st, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Context is everything. Once an artifact is removed from it’s context much of the information is lost.
At a dig in the Black Hills we recorded each artifact as well as the debitage (rock flakes) taking several measurements of each. This was programed into a computer to give a 3 dimensional view of the site. That way we could see how everything fitted together.
Archeology is destructive. You don’t get “do overs” nor can you put things back. If you don’t get all the information, you can easily get junk.
A friend once gave me an artifact he bought at a garage sale. It’s a beautiful obsidian point in a old wooden case. Where from? Why it was in the case? Where the obsidian came from? All are unknowns.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:45 am
Context is everything as said – what is the difference between a wink and a person blinking on eyelid to remove a gnat – if you do not see the gnat?