Subsurface Artifacts Research Articles

The correlation of surface and subsurface artifacts: A test case from Late and Terminal Classic Popola, Yucatan, Mexico

Surface collections are commonly used by archaeologists to sample artifact assemblages, but the correlation of surface and subsurface artifacts is not fully understood. Cultural, taphonomic, and research-design factors that can affect the relationship of surface and subsurface deposits are reviewed and the correlation of surface and subsurface deposits is tested statistically with data from the site of Popola, Yucatan, Mexico, a Late and Terminal Classic period (a.d. 600–1100) village in the northern Maya lowlands. This study suggests that surface artifact density is not correlated with subsurface artifact density. Large-scale surface collections can characterize the overall assemblage of a site, but not any small area in particular. In shallow bioturbated soils there is no significant variation between surface and subsurface assemblages at any depth. Surface artifacts may be used to identify the presence of subsurface artifacts, but should not be used to suggest their absence.

Determining the settlement history of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine sites in the Galilee, Israel: Comparing surface, subsurface, and stratified artifact assemblages

Archaeological field survey is the basic method for determining the history of settlement on the regional level. The backbone of survey is locating and surveying individual sites, estimating their size, and uncovering their settlement histories. Various biases place doubt on the reliability of surface data and the conclusions drawn from them. This study presents three methods for investigating multiperiod sites in eastern Galilee, Israel: advanced surface survey, shovel test sampling, and large-scale stratigraphic excavations. Advanced surface survey was carried out at 46 sites settled during the Hellenistic through Byzantine periods (ca. 300 b.c.–a.d. 650). Three of these sites were later sampled using shovel test pits. Large-scale excavations were conducted at two of these sites, Khirbet Wadi Ḥamam and Nasr ed-Din enabling the comparison of the three methods. Applying these three methods to the same sites allowed us to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each method for determining settlement history. The results indicate that a thorough surface survey of a site in an area where local pottery is well documented can provide a clear picture of its occupation history. However, these data are not sufficient to determine variations in the size of the site over time. Shovel test sampling presents no advantage over surface survey with regard to documenting periods of activity at a given site, but it is preferable for tracing changes in the intensity of occupation during different periods. Excavation is the most informative method, but because it is costly and time consuming, it often sheds light only on small portions of selected sites.

Site formation and Archaic geoarchaeology along the Jordan River, Great Salt Lake Valley, Utah USA

Excavations of a terrace of the Jordan River in the southern Salt Lake Valley, Utah, have revealed numerous prehistoric finds, including pithouse dwelling structures. Replicate AMS dates corroborate that “the Prison Site” (42SL186) preserves one of the oldest dwelling structures in the eastern Great Basin, which is securely dated to ∼2500–2300 cal BP. This archaeological context provides an opportunity to reconstruct prehistoric lifeways within an underrepresented region of the American West during the timeframe when economies in the region were shifting toward increased sedentism, and from foraging to farming, and the cultivation of maize. Observations of the local stratigraphy, site formation, soil formation, and bioturbation confirm that this open-air site has stratigraphic integrity and is not significantly disturbed. The site is located in a silty loam terrace that was repeatedly reoccupied during the Archaic, from 3000–1500 cal BP. A high subsurface artifact density includes nearly 30,000 lithic materials recovered in the subsurface from a buried housepit preserved at ∼40–50 cm below the modern ground surface, as well as three areas subjected to limited testing. This is unprecedented for an Archaic site in this portion of the Salt Lake Valley, an area that is facing rapid urbanization and development pressures. This site indicates the intensity of hunter–gatherer activities proximal to a perennial wetland. Finds from site 42SL186 are from intact contexts with strong potential to revise what is known about chronology, subsistence and settlement patterning, seasonality and mobility, and site structure and function for Archaic groups in the Eastern Great Basin.

Archaeological Survey of Three Land Parcels and Shovel Testing of Four Sites at Camp Bowie, Brown County, Texas

Pedestrian survey and shovel testing of three land parcels and shovel testing of four previously identified archaeological sites in Camp Bowie, Brown County, Texas, was performed by the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio during October and November of 2001. This work, conducted under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 2310, was undertaken as a result of recommendations from Wormser and Sullo-Prewitt (2001) following their archaeological survey and site recording efforts. Three areas of Camp Bowie were surveyed and shovel tested. Parcel 1 is 74 acres (30 ha) in extent and 46 shovel tests were excavated in this area. One new site (41BR522) was identified at the northern margin of this survey area. 41BR522 is a small burned rock midden site. Seven additional shovel tests were excavated on this site. One Late Prehistoric projectile point fragment was recovered during shovel testing of 41BR522. Excluding the units on 41BR522, only three shovel tests within Parcel 1 contained subsurface lithics. All of these artifacts represent isolated finds (IF). One additional shovel test had a single animal bone that may not be cultural and is considered an IF. Parcel 2 covers 64 acres (26 ha) and 33 shovel tests were placed within this area. None of the shovel tests in Parcel 2 produced any subsurface archaeological material. Parcel 3 is 62 acres (25 ha) and 43 shovel tests were excavated in this part of Camp Bowie. One shovel test produced two heat-fractured lithics that are not unambiguously cultural in origin. 41BR522 is recommended for additional testing to determine its State Archeological Landmark (SAL) and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility. None of the other areas of the three survey parcels contain cultural resources that are considered SAL or NRHP eligible. In the event of deep or extensive excavation of the alluvial soils in Parcel 1, archaeological monitoring is recommended to identify any potential impacts to resources below the 60 cm depth investigated by this project. Normal military use of this area may proceed without further consultation with the Texas Historical Commission (THC). In response to recommendations by Wormser and Sullo-Prewitt (2001), four previously recorded archaeological sites were revisited (41BR248, 41BR467, 41BR469, and 41BR471). Site 41BR248 could not be relocated. No surface or subsurface artifacts were identified at the plotted site location. Four shovel tests were excavated within the identified site location, but no cultural materials were encountered.

An Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Retama/Selma Monopole Project

The Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) of The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted an archaeological survey of the proposed Retama/Selma Monopole Project for Southwestern Bell Wireless. The investigations included two backhoe trenches, four shovel tests, and a 100-percent pedestrian survey of the project area and access road. The backhoe trenches and shovel tests did not encounter any subsurface artifacts or features, but the pedestrian survey discovered a lithic scatter in the access road. This site, designated 41GU39, contains an Early Archaic component as evidenced by a Gower point. The artifacts appear to be confined to the surface and a 10-cm-thick plow zone. CAR recommends that the proposed project will have no adverse effect and that the sponsor be allowed to proceed as planned.

Evaluating the Utility of Auger Testing as a Predictor of Subsurface Artifact Density

Evaluating the Utility of Auger Testing as a Predictor of Subsurface Artifact Density

Evaluating the Utility of Auger Testing as a Predictor of Subsurface Artifact Density

This article presents an assessment of the effectiveness of manual auger testing as a tool to predict subsurface artifact density. Sherd counts obtained from auger tests are compared with 1m × 1m test excavations of the same grid square. At several residential locations in the Mexican state of Veracruz, the correlation between auger sherd counts and excavation sherd counts is unexpectedly low. Several potential factors are explored and analyses indicate that the ability of auger tests to predict subsurface sherd density is highly dependent on overall artifact density and spatial distribution of artifacts. Methodological factors such as small sample size, differential recording strategies between auger and excavation procedures and the fact that large sherds are commonly broken during soil extraction by the auger are also potential factors.

Abu Salabikh, the Uruk Mound 1985-86

The Uruk Mound at Abu Salabikh is a low-lying mound of approximately 10 hectares, located to the south and west of the main Early Dynastic mound and almost directly south of the West Mound (Fig. 1). Nowhere does the mound rise more than three meters above the surrounding land, and it is disconcertingly easy to overlook amidst the canal banks. Prior to 1985, investigations of the Uruk Mound had been limited to a few soundings and small-scale scraping, by the Oriental Institute team in 1963 (Crawford 1964, 13; Biggs 1974, 5) and T. Cuyler Young assisted by Carl Phillips in 1981 (Postgate & Moon 1982; 1984). This work proved enigmatic, failing to reveal coherent architectural plans. In 1985 it was decided to try some further work on the mound, with several aims in mind. First, we wished to find out whether larger-scale scraping would reveal coherent architectural plans. Second, through surface and sub-surface collections of artifacts we hoped to date the occupation of the mound more precisely. Finally, by locating squares in different areas of the mound, we sought evidence for variation in terms of date of occupation and use of different areas. A total of 5½ weeks of work was carried out on the mound during the 1985 and 1986 seasons. Twenty-eight 10 × 10 m squares were surface collected, and 14 of these were also scraped and their sub-surface artifacts collected and examined (Fig. 2). All of these units were placed judgmentally, with an eye to sampling diverse areas of the mound as well as to expanding the scraping in areas that had well-preserved architecture.

An Interactive Computer Graphic Technique for Identifying Occupation Surfaces in Deep Archaeological Sites

A computer graphic technique, 3DPLOT, is presented. Its purpose is to identify occupational horizons in deep sites that have no visible stratification. The program treats the locations of subsurface artifacts in three-dimensional space as if they were in a clear matrix, rotating and tilting to any desired viewing angle. The benefits of this method are explained, and an example is presented.