Excavation report

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The excavation report, also known as the final report, is part of the documentation system for archaeological excavations .

It represents one of the most important activities after an excavation has been completed and contains information on the process and results of the excavations, which are essential for a later evaluation. Excavation reports are to be distinguished from the evaluation and the scientific publication, which, however, have to fall back on the mainly technical and organizational information of the excavation report. The report is usually prepared by the local excavation manager. The excavation report is kept by the responsible authorities for the preservation of monuments as part of the documentation for the site. In polluter-funded excavations of the respective client also receives a copy as an accounting basis and as evidence of the made investigations.

Delimitation of the term

An excavation report is often a preliminary scientific report on current or recently completed excavations in archaeological journals. In a narrower sense, the term is understood to be a mainly technical final report on the excavation process.

content

An excavation report usually contains information on the following points:

Details of the excavation site

For example, duration of the excavation, size of the excavation area and overview of the uncovered findings , type of findings.

Preparatory information and measures

It also includes the reason for the excavation (e.g. emergency excavation, research excavation), reference to previous excavations, topography and soil conditions, a list of the existing archive material, participating institutions and partners, excavation team, preparatory prospections, search cuts and preparation of the excavation area (vegetation, clearing, canals and cables).

measurement

One chapter deals with the location of the excavation area in land maps and measuring table sheets. It describes the surveying system that has been set up and its integration. It also contains information on the measurement of the heights (absolute above sea level) and the trigonometric points or polygon points used for measurement, as well as other measurements. This chapter also includes information about the surveying device used, such as the type specification of the total station.

Excavation methodology

This chapter contains explanations of the excavation method used, for example whether the excavation was carried out according to natural or artificial layers or whether there were aggravating conditions. Security measures are also mentioned here.

Excavation documentation

Excavation documentation on site maps

Indispensable for a scientific evaluation - often carried out years later - information on the scope of the written and digital excavation documentation, which is derived from the excavation diary , findings and area descriptions, possibly. Location maps as well as drawn area, overview, formation and profile drawings. Information on the photographic documentation is also provided. For example about the photo equipment used, the film material and the photo lists. Special forms of documentation, for example the creation of paint profiles, total station measurements, photographic recordings, 3D scans, software used, etc. can also be listed here.

Sampling

If samples are taken from the excavation for further scientific investigations or for accompanying projects, e.g. wood samples for dendrochronological investigations, archaeobotanical samples or samples for phosphate analysis, these must be listed separately with information on packaging, additives or treatment. If necessary, the sampling is to be included in the existing documentation. For example, the extraction point is included in the findings drawings and in the photo documentation and included in the excavation report.

Finds

Special recovery methods for finds ( e.g. block recovery ) as well as their whereabouts, storage, lists of finds, evaluation and inventory should also be noted separately .

Completion of the excavation

An excavation report should definitely note the condition in which the excavation area was left in order to protect the excavator from later claims for recourse. This includes information on backfilling or securing the excavation cuts, compaction of the cuts in the event of later development or recultivation.

literature

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