For the Record: The What, How and When of Stratigraphy
Henry C. Cary · 2007
, ' Ontario archaeologists approach stratigraphy from a number of directions, a situation born from the adop tion and adaptation of Canadian, American, and British field techniques. Each method is suitable for cer tain conditions, but we suggest that stratigraphic excavation must be used to understand site formation. Our technique focuses on the single stratigraphic unit and asks of it three questions: what is its nature? (jill buried sad, or flature); how did it get there? (primary or secondary deposition); and when was it deposited' (the relationship to other layers and flatures). Posing these questions during excavation ensures that crucial infor mation is not lost once the site is disturbed and allows the archaeologist to determine the site-wide sequence and phases of development later in the analysis. Detailed stratigraphic recording and analysis is often seen as time consuming, especially in mitz.'gation excavations, but we will introduce methods currently in use at stratigraphically complex military sites in Ontario that effict rapid, thorough, and accurate recording.