Classical Archaeology in the Field: Approaches

by L.C. Bowkett, S.J. Hill, Diana Wardle, K.A. Wardle

Overview

Archaeology has progressed enormously since the early excavations of classical sites such as Olympia and Ephesus in the middle of the 19th century. New methods and modern techniques, which depend on the rigorous application of skills from a wide range of disciplines, now offer a better perspective on the material culture of the classical world.

This book combines explanation of methods and techniques with case studies of particular sites which demonstrate different themes in, and approaches to, classical archaeology. It examines principles and methods including prospecting, excavation, dating, stratigraphy and presentation, alongside an account of the development of Classical archaeology (for example, as in the work of famous pioneers such as Evans and Schliemann) to the more scientific approaches used in contemporary projects.

Written by a group of active field archaeologists, this book demonstrates the progression of a project from planning and prospection, through excavation and study to interpretation and public presentation. It also provides links to a wide range of internet resources to enable students to follow through case studies of recent survey and excavation ranging in time from the Bronze Age to the early Byzantine, and in extent from Britain to Turkey.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781853996177
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/31/2001
Series:	Classical World Ser.
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.32(d)

About the Author

Laurence Bowkett is Director of Studies, Fine Arts College, London, UK.
Stephen Hill is Senior Lecturer, Continuing Education, University of Warwick, UK.
Diana Wardle is Extra-mural lecturer in Archaeology and Ken Wardle is Senior Lecturer in ancient History and Archaeology, University of Birmingham, UK.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
2. The Development of Classical Archaeology
2.1 The Classical Context
2.2 Looters, antiquarians and collectors: from the Middle Ages to Elgin
2.3 The "gold rush" years
2.4 Archaeology comes of age: the twentieth century
3. Project Development
3.1 Problem oriented research
3.2 Background research
3.3 Project design
3.4 The legal framework
3.5 Funding for UK based projects
4. Archaeological Prospecting
4.1 Surface survey
4.2 Aerial photography
4.3 Site mapping
4.4 Geophysical survey and soil sampling
5. Excavation
5.1 Excavation strategy
5.2 Trenches
5.3 Levels of recovery
5.4 Unusual environments
5.5 Digging different materials
6. Recording the site and the finds
6.1 First principles
6.2 The context based record
6.3 Photography
6.4 Plans
6.5 Sections
6.6 First aid for finds (conservation)
6.7 Finds and the finds record
6.8 The "environmental" record
7. Study, analysis and presentation
7.1 Stratigraphy
7.2 Typology
7.3 The contribution of science
7.4 Dating
7.5 Interpretation
7.6 Publication
7.7 Presentation and display of archaeological sites
How to become an archaeologist
Suggestions for Further Reading
Index
Solution to Avonbury dating exercise