20th May 2008, 02:28 PM
Posted by garybrun:
When I said that investigation of plough-soil archaeology often didn't justify the cost, what I was referring to was investigating the distribution of all artefact types (not just metal) throughout the thickness of the ploughsoil.
What that requires is the excavation of the plough-soil, generally by hand, in a series of thin 'spits', in a way that maximises artefact recovery and enables reasonably accurate recording of the spatial distribution of each type of artefact. It can produce useful results, but the cost is usually disproportionate to the degree of usefulness (although there are exceptions).
Hence my proposed compromise, which would only pick up non-metallic artefacts on the surface or base of the ploughsoil and slightly more for metallic artefacts, with a lot of material being machined off.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
Quote:quote:why all the fuss about detectorists investigating the topsoil by some archaeologists when others think the quantity of data is not appropriate?Actually, I think that metal detecting is a vary useful and cost-effective technique for some projects, which is why I included it in my 'compromise' solution. Some curators also write it into their briefs, making it a PPG16 requirement.
When I said that investigation of plough-soil archaeology often didn't justify the cost, what I was referring to was investigating the distribution of all artefact types (not just metal) throughout the thickness of the ploughsoil.
What that requires is the excavation of the plough-soil, generally by hand, in a series of thin 'spits', in a way that maximises artefact recovery and enables reasonably accurate recording of the spatial distribution of each type of artefact. It can produce useful results, but the cost is usually disproportionate to the degree of usefulness (although there are exceptions).
Hence my proposed compromise, which would only pick up non-metallic artefacts on the surface or base of the ploughsoil and slightly more for metallic artefacts, with a lot of material being machined off.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished