Archaeology Excavation Project Coursework Example

WORKSHEETS
Use the Laws of Superposition and Association to fill out these worksheets. Do not write anything in the boxes with the grey backgrounds. You do not need to answer the questions in complete sentences, a bulleted list is fine.
STRATA
Oldest Stratum:
Earliest Possible Date: 50 AD
Latest Possible Date: 43AD
Evidence for Dates Earliest:
Glass vessels Latest: Coins
How was the site used as this stratum formed? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion. The site was formed through the sedimentation and compacting of the sediments over the years, hence burying with it useful artifacts that enable the archaeologists to gauge the years of existence as well as the nature of work or lively hood the people in the time lead. The coins found in the strata date back to 40 BCE. While there is also the evidence of ironwork and bronze work that is among the first metals to be used in the evolution of man, while glass came much later during civilization and there are such remains as well.
Next Oldest Stratum: Earliest Possible Date: First century AD
Latest Possible Date:
50AD
Evidence for Dates Earliest: Southern Gaulish terra sigillata
Latest: Mid-Neronian period
How was the site used as this stratum formed? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion. The site was formed through the sedimentation of the different segments and in particular the sand and charcoal that are quite evident in the strata. The sedimentation also facilitated the burying of a few artifacts.

Next Oldest Stratum: Earliest Possible Date: mid- Neronian period Latest Possible Date: mid-Neronian period
Evidence for Dates Earliest:
Structures Latest: Structures
How was the site used as this stratum formed? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion. The site was formed through the weathering of the already existing strata. The weathered fragments were then deposited in the strata also evident from the lack of artifact deposits.
Next Oldest Stratum: Earliest Possible Date: 500years
Latest Possible Date: 400 years
Evidence for Dates Earliest: Artefacts
Latest: Artefacts
How was the site used as this stratum formed? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion. Formed through sedimentation and the compaction of the already deposited soil sediments and materials. This explains the buried artifacts in a pit mixed with sand and charcoal.
Youngest Stratum:
Earliest Possible Date: 900years Latest Possible Date: 800years
Evidence for Dates Earliest: Recapture of the empire
Latest: Recapture of the empire
How was the site used as this stratum formed? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion. Sedimentation of soil from other areas, although earlier sediments were compacted, and buried with the artifacts that are found between the first and second strata.
FEATURES
Ditch II
With which, stratum/feature (s) is this feature contemporary? Strata IV
What is your evidence for contemporary stratum/feature(s)? The ditch is filled with sand, although there are no traces of charcoal; there is the presence of the southern Gaulish terra sigillata that are also present in the strata.
Why was this feature created? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion.
The feature was created as a hideout during attacks, where soldiers could hide and see their oncoming assailants and attack them. This is evident by the way it runs through the entire length.
“Clavicula”
With which stratum is this feature contemporary? Strata IV
What is your evidence for contemporary stratum/feature(s)?
It is a common feature during the first century CE during which time the strata were formed, and it also has the southern Gaulish terra sigillata remains that are also present in the strata.
Why was this feature created? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion.
It was a feature that was significant in times of war hence it was aimed at providing a defense to the cities and other settlements of the Roman Empire.
Feature A23
With which stratum is this feature contemporary? Strata II
What is your evidence for contemporary stratum/feature(s)?
Presence of sand mixed with charcoal
Roman soldier armor and weapons, some of which were never used.
Why was this feature created? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion.
The pit was most probably a storage site for their weapons especially evidenced by some pieces that had never been attached to the shields, swords, and helmets for which they were designed. As well as remains of some legionary helmets, one nearly complete, but with insignificant sign of wear
Feature A24
With which stratum is this feature contemporary? Strata II
What is your evidence for contemporary stratum/feature(s)?
Presence of sand mixed with charcoal
Roman soldier armor and weapons, some of which were never used.
Why was this feature created? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion.
This pit was among the few storage sites, for backup weapons that were scattered all over the settlement to ensure easy access in times of war. This is evidenced by the used and unused weapons found in the pit.
Feature A25
With which stratum is this feature contemporary? Strata II
What is your evidence for contemporary stratum/feature(s)?
Presence of sand mixed with charcoal
Roman soldier armor and weapons, some of which were never used.
Why was this feature created? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion.
This feature was among a few storage sites, for backup weapons that were scattered all over the settlement to ensure easy access by the soldiers in times of war. Evidenced by both used and unused weapons and Roman armor.
Feature A26
With which stratum is this feature contemporary? Strata II
What is your evidence for contemporary stratum/feature(s)?
Presence of sand mixed with charcoal
Roman soldier armor and weapons, some of which were never used.
Why was this feature created? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion.
The feature was among the few storage sites, for backup weapons that were scattered all over the settlement to ensure easy access in case of an attack. This is evidenced by used and unused armor and weapons.
Feature A27
With which stratum is this feature contemporary? Strata II
What is your evidence for contemporary stratum/feature(s)?
Presence of sand mixed with charcoal
Roman soldier armor and weapons, some of which were never used
Why was this feature created? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion.
This was a special kind of storage pit for the weapons and armor probably used by the leaders, as evidenced by the presence of legionary swords.
Feature A28
With which stratum is this feature contemporary? Strata V
What is your evidence for contemporary stratum/feature(s)?
Presence of coins
Presence of glass.
Why was this feature created? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion.
The pit was probably a shed, given the presence of sheep skeletons.
Feature A29
With which stratum is this feature contemporary? Strata II
What is your evidence for contemporary stratum/feature(s)?
Presence of sand mixed with charcoal
Roman soldier armor and weapons, some of which were never used.
Why was this feature created? Be certain to include the evidence for your conclusion.
The feature was among the few storage sites, for backup weapons that were scattered all over the settlement to ensure easy access in case of an attack. This is evidenced by used and unused armor and weapons.
CONCLUSIONS
Now pull all of your evidence together; what does it all mean? In the box below write a narrative in which you tell the story of this site. Start by explaining who came to the site first, when they got there, and what they were doing there. What happened to the structure they built and why? When did the structure meet its demise? Who occupied the site later, when were they there, and what were they doing there? Be certain to explain all the clues in the project except for the horse skull and teeth in Ditch II; even I am not certain what they mean. Remember, archaeologists, consider the historical as well as the archaeological evidence when interpreting a site: use your knowledge of Colchester’s history along with what you have learned from this excavation to understand this site. Be certain to write in sentences with proper grammar, syntax, spelling, etc.
Colchester was an early settlement of the Roman. They built settlements and even practices their culture while living in the area. Their earlier structures included V-shaped structures build underground to protect against the sand (Struck, 1997), and later advanced to other architectural designs with their civilization. However, they were susceptible to attacks hence they had to build strong defenses and weapons to protect their settlements from attacks hence the presence of a lot of pits as well as weapons and Roman armor in the excavation site. Later between 409 and 411, the city collapse, especially with the construction of the road but the administration, strived to recapture their city which they did between 800 and 900 after a few battles. For instance, one with the Vikings which they won and started rebuilding their city and settlements.
Reference
Struck, M. (1997). Excavations of Roman and Later Cemeteries, Churches and Monastic Sites in Colchester, 1971-88.