Archaeologist's Fieldwork Guide

BARBARA ANN KIPFER is a prominent lexicographer, linguist, and archaeologist. She is the author of more than sixty-five books in several fields, including Dictionary of Artifacts (Wiley Blackwell, 2007), and Encyclopedic Dictionary of Archaeology, Second Edition (2021). Dr. Kipfer is a Registered Professional Archaeologist and has worked as a lexicographer for forty years.

• AcknowledgmentsIntroduction1 Classification and TypologyAppliqué typesArtifact industriesAssemblage typesAttributes, basic categories ofAttributes of flakes illoBasket partsBasketry typesBinford pipestem chronologyBone classification and descriptionBottle mold types/bottle manufacturing typesBottle partsBoundary typesBurial types and descriptionsButton attributesCemetery typesCeramics attributesCeramics basesCeramics basic body shapesCeramics classification by attributesCeramics decoration typesCeramics fluid/liquid decoration typesCeramics fragment size classificationCeramics identification chartCeramics rim classesCeramics type-function classificationCeramics vessel partsCeramics ware-fabric classificationCeramics ware-fabric classification, historicalClay typesCoinage typesContext typesData types, historicalDebitage types (lithic)Effigy classificationFigurine descriptionGlass attributesGlass classificationGlaze classificationGround stone attributesGround stone usesInvertebrate classificationLithics attributesLithics use-wear traitsMaterials basic categoriesMetal artifact categoriesMohs scale of hardnessMunsell sheets illoNail classificationParticle size descriptionsPerforation typesPlant remains categoriesProjectile point attributesProjectile point parts and measuresShell classificationSite by functionSite by typeSoil classification, generalSoil horizons and subdivisionsSoil layersSoil particle shapeSoil structure typesSoil taxonomySoil textural classesStone tool classification, flaked or chippedStone tool classification, groundStone tool partsStratigraphical context and relationship typesSurvey classesSurvey methods of inspectionTimber/jointing description termsTin can typesTooth typesTyler Scale/grades of clastic sedimentsUnits and spatial divisionsVertebrate classificationWentworth Grain Size Classification2 Forms and RecordsAgreement between landlord/property owner and survey partyArtifact/field specimen inventory or catalog (1, 2)Artifact (provenience) label/tag (1, 2)Basketry recordBuilding/structure inventory formBulk sample logBulk soil sample label/tagBurial recordCatalog cardCatalog form/site catalog form/field catalog/catalog logCeramic recording formCoin catalog cardContext recording formCrew attendance sheetCRM Federal bid form requirementsCRM Phase I field notes and recordsCRM Phase I shovel test bag labelCRM Phase II field notes and recordsCRM Phase II artifact bag labelCRM Phase III field notes and recordsDaily field reportDaily vehicle logDatable sample formDebitage form (lithic)Diet evidence chartDrawings catalogEcological information formExcavation level formExcavation recordExcavation summary form/unit summary formFaunal attribute recordFeature catalogFeature formFeature level formFeature record logFeature summary form/feature record (1, 2)Field laboratory logField inventory formField notebook systemFigurine recordGarbage project formGift formGrain size analysis formHistorical resources inventoryHuman remains occurrence formLevel bag inventoryLevel label/tagLevel log/master unit logMasonry formMinimum collection unit (MCU) logOral history formParticipant note formPerishables recordPhotographic logPhotographic log, digitalPhotographic log, PolaroidPhotographic record formPoint location catalogPollen count recordProvenience designation catalogProvenience designation formRock art recordSample bag label/tagShovel test pit formSite record/site report/site inventory/site survey reportSite survey recordSkeleton recording formSkin and hide recordSpecial finds formStorage log, on-siteStratigraphic description formStratigraphy recordStudy unit catalogStudy unit formTextile recordTotal station datum tableTotal station field notes formWall profile/plan view formWood and cane record3 Lists and ChecklistsAnalysis-in-the-field equipment listArbitrary levels, working inArtifact examination methodsArtifact field procedureArtifact handling and liftingArtifact packingArtifact sampling, specialAugering and coringBasket partsBasketry/bark/wood field conservationBoat kit listBone identification chartBone/antler/ivory/shell field conservationBulk provenience procedureBurial excavation and observationsBurial variables checklistCataloging equipment listCataloging procedureCeramics field conservationClosing out a levelContext assessmentCoordinate grid, setting upCRM (Cultural Resource Management) phasesCRM Phase I shovel testingCRM Phase I shovel testing equipmentCross-sectioning a featureDating methods by materialDirection finding with compassDisturbance/exposure typesDump/sifting area placementEcological sample collectionEmergency/disaster strategies, first aidExcavation equipment list/field kitExcavation flow chartExcavation grid, setting up by taping/triangulationExcavation grid, setting up with right angleExcavation rulesExpedient grid, setting upFaunal collection, analysis, and identificationFeatures guidelinesField clothing listField conservation initial stepsField crewField etiquetteField hazardsField note-takingField vehicle equipment listField walkingFieldwork competence guidelinesFieldwork tools illosFirst aid kit illo Poisonous plantsFlaked stone artifact identificationFlora collection, analysis, and identificationGPS useGround search survey considerationsGround stone artifact identificationHarris MatrixHarris Matrix illoHearth identificationHistorical documentsHot weather tipsIndicators of potential archaeological siteKnife sharpeningLabeling site gridsLandowner interview questionsLandscape reconstruction sourcesLeather/skins/textiles/cordage field conservationLevel subdividingLevel sheet recordingLithics field conservationLithics identification chartLocating a site within a sectionMasonry and brick description termsMetal artifact analysis stepsMetal field conservationOral history instructionsPhoto menu board usePit identificationPoint provenience procedurePollen sample collectionPost mold identificationPowers’ Scale of Roundness for grainsPreparing to go on a digReconnaissance equipmentRecording artifacts with residuesRecoding artifact findspotRecording artifact quarryRecording artifact scatterRecording coresRecording featuresRecording flaked stone artifactsRecording rock artRecording shell middenRecording stratigraphic profileRecording standing structureRecording stone arrangementsRecording tools' functionResearch designRock and mineral identification chartSample collectionSampling deep-site excavationSampling strategy decisionsSampling strategy typesSampling techniquesScreen mesh chartScreeningSediment texture testsShell analysis stepsSingle-context planningSoil analysis checklistSoil analysis procedureSoil samplesSoil types’ effects on materialsStrata, defining individualStratigraphic/natural level excavation methodStructural remains guidelinesSupervisor checklistSupervisor sample budgetSurface observations checklistSurface survey basic observationsSurvey preparationSurvey team responsibilitiesSurvival kitTaping instructionsTelescope setup and useTheodolite/transit/dumpy level setupTheodolite/transit/dumpy level useTree-ring sample collectionTrench shoringTrenching typesTroweling methodUnit completionUnit excavationVertical-face excavation methodsWhen you find a potential site4 Mapping, Drawing, and PhotographyDrawing a plan with offsettingDrawing a site planDrawing a skeletonDrawing architectural plansDrawing artifact detailsDrawing, drafting, and mapping equipment listDrawing earth types in sectionsDrawing frame useDrawing from a digital photographDrawing instructionsDrawing outline of an artifactDrawing profiles and sectionsDrawing scale change using a photocopierDrawing scalesDrawing small findsDrawing special sectionsDrawing stages for artifactsDrawing stone artifactsDrawing symbols for archaeologyDrawings, types of archaeologicalMap colorsMap, making sketchMap, reading topographicMap scales, USGSMap symbolsMapping a siteMapping and drawing featuresMapping and surveying equipment listMapping and surveying symbolsMapping instrumentsMapping / plotting contour linesMapping scales and areasMapping to scale for artifactsMapping with plane tableMapping-with-plane-table equipmentMaps for archaeological sitesPhotographic equipment listPhotographic guidelinesPhotographs, aerialPhotographs to be takenPhotography, digitalPhoto menu board use5 Measurement and ConversionAlidade care and adjustmentArea calculationBaseline/datum line, datum point, site benchmark and datum plane,site reference pointBearing using protractor illoBearings calculationBenchmark tying to datum pointCompass points-to-degrees conversionCompass positioning illoDatum line ranging with tapeDumpy level useEDM use to set up a gridGPS informationHorizontal angle measurementHow to set up a levelLevel-taking in unitLevel-taking of sites and featuresLines or transects layoutLocating to an Ordnance Survey mapLocating to the National GridMap area to field area conversionMap scale equivalentsMeasurement conversion guideMeasurement equipmentMeasuring around/over obstaclesMeasuring depth of an artifact or featureMeasuring distanceMeasuring heights and elevationOffsettingOrienting a compass to a mapPerpendicularsPlane table usePlanimeter usePlumbing a linePlumbing the line/taping a slopeRadial measurementRadiocarbon sample sizeRight triangle, sine, cosine, tangentRim measuring scaleSample sizesSite grid establishmentSlope calculationStadia formulaStadia reduction tablesSubdatum pointsSurveying tablesSurveying with a hand levelSurveying common errorsTape measurementsTaping a slopeTaping common errorsTaping proceduresTheodolite useTheodolite use to set up a gridThree-point problemTool measurement > Biface/projectile point parts illoTotal station useTransferring height from benchmark to temporary benchmarkTransit, theodolite, dumpy level set-upTransit-stadia traverse measurementTraverse recordingTriangulationUTM coordinate counter illoUTM grid location of archaeological siteVertical angle measurementVertical distance measurementVertical provenience measurement illoVessel measurementVessel measurement illoWeights, measures, temperatures (equivalents)6 Technology in the FieldAcoustic research/archaeoacousticsAugering and coringComputer tablet useDNA samplingDrone useElectric resistance surveyingField walkingFlotation samplingGeomagnetic surveyingGeophysical techniques and underground mappingGIS overlays illoGIS tool useGround-penetrating radarLiDAR illoLiDAR useMajor scientific dating methodsMechanical Excavator UseMetal detector useOptically stimulated luminescenceOxidizable carbon ratio datingPhotogrammetryPhytolith samplingPollen samplingRadiocarbon dating sources of errorRadiocarbon formation illoReflectance transformation imagingSatellite imagerySpace archaeologyStrontium-isotope sampling3D data capture and modelingThermoluminescence illoTwo-bucket flotation system illoWater screeningWeb-based archaeology, Internet presence7 Archaeology LaboratoryArchiving tipsArtifact catalogingArtifact conservationArtifact handling and cleaningArtifact handling and cleaning, specificArtifact labelingArtifact sortingArtifact storageField lab processing illoFlow of artifacts through lab illoLab analysisLab environmentLab equipmentLab safetyLab use rulesModeling or reconstructionRecord storage on computerRecord storage typesReporting results and publication8 Abbreviations and CodesAnimal taxon codesBone and antler artifact codesBone codesCeramics burnish and luster codesCeramics codesCeramics construction and surface treatment codesCeramics excision and incision codesCeramics fabric codesCeramics fragment size codesCeramics painted motif codesCeramics ware color codes/Munsell codesChipped stone artifact codesClay pipe codesField report abbreviationsGeologic codesGlass artifact codesGround stone artifact codesOrganic artifact codesPackaging composition codesShell artifact codesStone codesSurveying abbreviationsTooth artifact codes9 ResourcesArchaeological associationsArchaeological journalsBibliographyEthics in field archaeologyFederal (U.S.) legislation regarding archaeologyFieldwork information sourcesInternational archaeology ethics, laws, policiesLabor rights for paid workers in archaeologyU.S. State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO)U.S. Federal archaeology informationU.S. protection of archaeological resources(including permit requirements)Where to buy equipment, suppliesIndex