🏺Archaeology of Ancient China Unit 7 – Archaeological Methods in Ancient China

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Stratigraphy: The study of layered deposits and the relationships between them, crucial for understanding site formation and chronology
• Typology: Classification of artifacts based on shared characteristics (shape, decoration, material) to establish chronologies and cultural connections
• Seriation: A relative dating method that arranges artifacts in a sequence based on changes in their style or frequency over time
• Absolute dating: Techniques that provide specific dates or date ranges for artifacts and sites (radiocarbon dating, dendrochronology)
• Zooarchaeology: The study of animal remains from archaeological sites to understand past human-animal interactions, subsistence practices, and environmental conditions
• Paleobotany: The study of plant remains (seeds, pollen, wood) to reconstruct past environments, agriculture, and plant use
• Remote sensing: Non-invasive methods (satellite imagery, aerial photography, ground-penetrating radar) used to identify and map archaeological sites and features
• Experimental archaeology: Replicating ancient technologies and processes to better understand how artifacts were made and used

Historical Context of Chinese Archaeology

• Early Western influence: Foreign explorers and scholars (Aurel Stein, Paul Pelliot) conducted early archaeological work in China in the early 20th century
• Nationalistic archaeology: Chinese scholars (Li Chi, Xia Nai) developed a distinctly Chinese approach to archaeology in the 1920s and 1930s, emphasizing the study of Chinese civilization
• Marxist archaeology: After the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, archaeology was influenced by Marxist theories of social evolution and historical materialism
• "Archaeology Fever": A surge in public interest and government support for archaeology in the 1970s and 1980s, following the discovery of the Terracotta Army
• Globalization and international collaboration: Increased cooperation between Chinese and foreign archaeologists since the 1990s, along with the adoption of new technologies and methodologies
• The Three Age System: Adopted from Western archaeology, this framework divides Chinese prehistory into the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age
• Regional diversity: Recognition of the diverse regional cultures and trajectories of development within ancient China, challenging the notion of a monolithic Chinese civilization
• Underwater archaeology: Growing interest in the study of submerged sites and shipwrecks along China's coast and rivers (Nanhai One)

Survey and Site Identification Techniques

• Pedestrian survey: Systematically walking over an area to identify surface artifacts and features, often using a grid system
• Aerial survey: Using aircraft or drones to take photographs or create 3D models of archaeological sites and landscapes
• Satellite remote sensing: Analyzing satellite imagery to identify sites, map landscape features, and monitor changes over time
  • Multispectral imaging: Capturing data in multiple wavelengths to detect subtle differences in vegetation, soil, and other features that may indicate archaeological sites
• Geophysical survey: Using non-invasive techniques to map subsurface features and anomalies
  • Magnetometry: Measuring variations in the Earth's magnetic field to detect buried features (walls, hearths, kilns)
  • Ground-penetrating radar (GPR): Using radar pulses to create a profile of subsurface layers and features
• Predictive modeling: Using environmental and cultural variables (elevation, proximity to water, known site locations) to predict the likelihood of archaeological sites in a given area
• Ethnoarchaeological survey: Studying modern communities to understand how their material culture and land use practices may relate to archaeological sites
• Oral history and local knowledge: Consulting with local communities to identify potential sites and gather information about past land use and cultural practices

Excavation Methods and Strategies

• Stratigraphic excavation: Carefully removing and documenting soil layers (strata) to understand site formation processes and establish a relative chronology
• Open-area excavation: Exposing large, contiguous areas of a site to understand spatial relationships and site layout
• Trench excavation: Digging narrow, linear trenches to quickly assess site stratigraphy and identify key features
• Quadrant method: Dividing a site into smaller units (quadrants) for more controlled excavation and spatial analysis
• Flotation: Using water to separate light organic remains (seeds, charcoal) from heavier soil particles for paleobotanical analysis
• Wet sieving: Washing excavated soil through fine mesh screens to recover small artifacts and ecofacts (bones, shells)
• Piece-plotting: Recording the exact 3D location of individual artifacts and features using a total station or GPS
• Sampling strategies: Selecting representative areas or contexts for excavation, rather than excavating an entire site
  • Judgmental sampling: Choosing areas based on surface indications or prior knowledge of the site
  • Random sampling: Selecting areas using a randomized grid or transect to ensure an unbiased sample
• Single-context recording: Treating each depositional event (layer, feature, cut) as a discrete unit for excavation and documentation

Artifact Analysis and Dating Techniques

• Typological analysis: Classifying artifacts based on shared attributes (form, decoration, material) to establish chronologies and cultural connections
• Functional analysis: Examining artifacts for use-wear, residues, and other indicators of how they were used in the past
• Compositional analysis: Using techniques (X-ray fluorescence, neutron activation analysis) to determine the chemical composition of artifacts and identify raw material sources
• Microscopic analysis: Using microscopes to examine artifact surfaces for traces of manufacture, use, and decoration
• Experimental replication: Creating replicas of ancient artifacts using traditional materials and techniques to understand their production and use
• Radiocarbon dating: Measuring the decay of carbon-14 in organic materials to determine their age, up to ~50,000 years old
• Dendrochronology: Analyzing tree ring patterns to date wooden artifacts and structures, and to reconstruct past climates
• Thermoluminescence dating: Measuring the accumulated radiation in ceramic materials to determine their age, up to ~500,000 years old
• Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating: Measuring the accumulated radiation in sediments to date their last exposure to sunlight, up to ~200,000 years old
• Archaeomagnetic dating: Analyzing the magnetic properties of burned clay materials (hearths, kilns) to date their last firing, based on changes in the Earth's magnetic field over time

Data Recording and Documentation

• Context sheets: Standardized forms for recording the details of each excavated context (layer, feature, cut), including soil properties, artifacts, and relationships to other contexts
• Photographs: Digital photographs of excavation progress, features, and artifacts for visual documentation and analysis
• Drawings: Scale drawings of site plans, sections, and individual features to accurately record spatial relationships and details
• 3D modeling: Using photogrammetry or laser scanning to create detailed 3D models of sites, features, and artifacts for visualization and analysis
• Field notes: Daily written accounts of excavation activities, observations, and interpretations by team members
• Databases: Digital databases for organizing and querying excavation data, including context information, artifact inventories, and spatial data
• GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Software for managing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data, such as site plans, artifact distributions, and regional settlement patterns
• Metadata: Structured information about the content, context, and quality of archaeological data to ensure its long-term usability and replicability
• Data sharing and archiving: Making archaeological data accessible to other researchers and the public through online repositories, publications, and exhibits

Preservation and Conservation Practices

• Site protection: Implementing measures (fencing, signage, site management plans) to prevent damage to archaeological sites from development, looting, and natural processes
• Artifact conservation: Treating and stabilizing artifacts to prevent further deterioration and ensure their long-term preservation
  • Cleaning: Removing dirt, corrosion, and other accretions from artifact surfaces using appropriate methods (mechanical, chemical, laser)
  • Consolidation: Applying adhesives or consolidants to strengthen fragile artifacts and prevent further breakage or crumbling
• Environmental monitoring: Measuring and controlling temperature, humidity, and light levels in storage and display areas to minimize artifact deterioration
• Preventive conservation: Taking proactive measures to minimize the risks of damage to artifacts and sites, such as proper packaging, handling, and storage
• In-situ preservation: Preserving archaeological features and structures in their original location, often by reburying or sheltering them from the elements
• Digital preservation: Ensuring the long-term accessibility and usability of digital archaeological data through proper storage, backup, and migration to new formats and platforms
• Community engagement: Involving local communities in the protection and management of archaeological sites and artifacts, and incorporating traditional knowledge and practices into conservation efforts
• Capacity building: Training local archaeologists, conservators, and site managers in best practices for preservation and conservation to ensure the long-term stewardship of cultural heritage

Ethical Considerations and Challenges

• Looting and the illicit antiquities trade: Addressing the ongoing problem of unauthorized excavation and sale of archaeological artifacts, which destroys context and funds criminal activities
• Repatriation and cultural heritage rights: Navigating the complex issues surrounding the return of artifacts and human remains to descendant communities and countries of origin
• Indigenous participation and collaboration: Engaging with Indigenous communities in the planning, execution, and interpretation of archaeological research, and respecting their cultural protocols and knowledge systems
• Balancing preservation and development: Finding ways to protect archaeological sites and artifacts while accommodating the needs of modern society, such as infrastructure projects and urban expansion
• Public outreach and education: Communicating the value and relevance of archaeology to the public, and involving communities in the discovery, interpretation, and preservation of their cultural heritage
• Professional standards and ethics: Adhering to established codes of conduct and best practices in archaeological research, conservation, and data management to ensure the integrity and reliability of the discipline
• Intellectual property rights: Navigating issues of ownership, access, and control over archaeological data, images, and interpretations, particularly in the context of digital technologies and online dissemination
• Political and ideological influences: Recognizing and mitigating the impact of political agendas, nationalistic narratives, and ideological biases on the practice and interpretation of archaeology in China and beyond