Stratigraphic and material interpretations of site evidence : investigations towards the nature of archaeological deposits
This dissertation addresses the failure in common practice to fully integrate different parts of the archaeological record systematically, thus leading to a breakdown between excavation theory and practice. The relationship between deposit and assemblage, and thereby the use of deposit status designation is examined. A more accurate definition of status is adopted, overcoming the conceptual inadequacy linking find to deposit. The analysis of status is based on the following basic assumptions: firstly, that status is the relationship between the find and the context; secondly, that this relationship is based upon information on the function, chronology and spatial characteristics of the finds and contexts. With the concept of deposit status established, this thesis presents a method that ates all the relevant elements of the archaeological record that enable an understanding of deposit signatures; deposits and assemblages. Deposit types are examined, checking the relationships between basic physical descriptions and interpreted function. Assemblage data for ceramics and faunal remains are integrated based upon quantification that reflects their separate formafion histories. The resulting deposit signatures
Berry, Michael Gerald
Stratigraphic and material interpretations of site evidence : investigations towards the nature of archaeological deposits. This dissertation addresses the failure in common practice to fully integrate different parts of the archaeological record systematically, thus leading to a breakdown between excavation theory and practice. The relationship between deposit and assemblage, and thereby the use of deposit status designation is examined. A more accurate definition of status is adopted, overcoming the conceptual inadequacy linking find to deposit. The analysis of status is based on the following basic assumptions: firstly, that status is the relationship between the find and the context; secondly, that this relationship is based upon information on the function, chronology and spatial characteristics of the finds and contexts. With the concept of deposit status established, this thesis presents a method that ates all the relevant elements of the archaeological record that enable an understanding of deposit signatures; deposits and assemblages. Deposit types are examined, checking the relationships between basic physical descriptions and interpreted function. Assemblage data for ceramics and faunal remains are integrated based upon quantification that reflects their separate formafion histories. The resulting deposit signatures
stratigraphic material interpretation site evidence investigation towards nature archaeological_deposit address failure common practice fully integrate different_part archaeological_record systematically thus lead breakdown excavation theory_practice relationship deposit assemblage thereby use deposit status designation examine accurate definition status adopt overcome conceptual inadequacy link deposit analysis status base follow basic_assumption firstly status relationship context secondly relationship base_upon information function chronology spatial characteristic find context concept deposit status establish present method relevant element archaeological_record enable deposit signature deposit assemblage deposit type examine check relationship basic physical description interpret function assemblage data ceramic faunal_remains integrate base_upon quantification reflect separate history result deposit signature