Digging up the past: what happens at an archaeological dig?
Archaeologists carry out excavations to collect information about what was happening in the past. This can include soil samples, environmental data, carbon samples, human and animal bone and human-made artefacts.
But it’s not just a case of finding a spot and sticking a spade into the ground. Archaeologists need to choose their site carefully and have a good reason for digging up the past. It’s important to make sure that data is carefully collected and recorded, any artefacts found are removed gently, and that remains left at the site, such as ancient buildings, are protected for the future.
Mapping the dig site
Archaeologists carefully divide the excavation area into a grid of squares using a Total Station (a piece of equipment that can measure angles and distances), strings and measuring tapes. This helps them know exactly where each discovery is made, like marking spots on a giant treasure map!
Layer by layer
As they dig down, archaeologists pay close attention to the different layers of soil (the stratigraphy). They draw these layers and note their colour and texture because each layer tells a different part of the site's history.
Finds trays
Every object found, called an artefact (like pottery, bone or tools), is placed in a special finds tray with a label. This label records exactly which soil layer, or ‘context’ the artefact came from – its underground address! The precise location of special finds are recorded accurately using the Total Station.
Soil secrets
Soil samples are sometimes taken from the layers. These tiny bits of earth can hold hidden clues like pollen or tiny animal bones, telling us about the environment and what people ate long ago.
Reading the past
Environmental data, like the type of soil and any signs of burning, is carefully recorded. This helps archaeologists understand what the place was like for the people who lived there.
Dating soil
Sometimes, archaeologists find burnt wood or charcoal. These ‘carbon samples’ can be sent to a laboratory to be tested. A special technique called Radiocarbon Dating allows scientists to find out an approximate age for the layers of soil – and anything found within them.
Bones tell tales
Any bones found, whether human or animal, are carefully recorded and collected. They can tell us about people's diets, health, how old they were when they died, and even what kinds of wild and domestic animals lived there.
Writing it all down
Archaeologists keep detailed notebooks and take lots of photos and drawings of everything they find and where they find it. This careful recording is like writing a detailed diary of the excavation, so other scientists can understand their discoveries later.
Can you fix the finds?
Archaeologists Assim, Emma and James are digging a Roman site, but unfortunately, their finds trays have been mixed up! They can remember some facts about the artefacts they put in each tray, but not everything.
Can you use their statements to work out which archaeologist found each artefact, and which tray it should be in?
Tap or click below to download the puzzle.
Solve the puzzle!The finds
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Pot sherd
'Sherds' or pieces of pottery are common archaeological finds. Thanks to changing styles and techniques through history, they are often easy to date. Pottery can help show when people lived at the site and what sort of lifestyle they had.
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Dice
Dice were used for playing games and gambling. This die is made of bone, with carved rings and dots on each of the six faces. It was found at Aldborough Roman site and is estimated to be between 1,700-2000 years old!
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Bottle top
While some excavations reveal ancient treasures, archaeologists often find modern items too. Plastic bottle tops dropped on the ground don't break down. Instead, they mix in with the topsoil and are sometimes found during excavations.
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Brooch
Brooches were used as decoration and to hold people's clothing in place. This brooch, in the shape of a deer, was found at Carrawburgh Fort on Hadrian's Wall. It is made from copper alloy with red enamel (glass) eyes.
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Coin
Coins can help us to work out when people were living at a site in the past. This one was found at Richborough Fort in Kent and shows Roman military commander Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Carausius.
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Face pot
Face pots – pots decorated with faces or heads – are found across Roman Britain but we don't know exactly what they were used for or who they represent. The face on each pot was made by hand, so each one is unique.
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Game piece
Roman soldiers enjoyed playing games. At Corbridge, parts of at least five stone gaming boards have been found, with hundreds of counters. More expensive counters were made from bone and glass, while broken pottery was a cheaper option.
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Glass flagon
Romans learnt to make glass from the Egyptians, and they spread glassware across Europe. This flagon is made of thin blue glass and has a beautifully detailed handle. It is amazing that such a delicate object survived for more than 1,800 years in the ground.
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Gold ring
This gold ring is engraved with the Greek words ΠΟΛΕΜΙΟΥ ΦΙΛΤΡΟΝ (meaning ‘the love-token of Polemius’). Romans used Greek for magical spells, so this ring might have been used as a charm to help Polemius in his search for love.
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Roman nail
Roman nails were made by hand from pieces of iron. They had a flat square head and were tapered to a sharp point. Nails were used to build lots of different wooden things, including gates, buildings and defensive structures.
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Stylus
This metal stylus is made from copper alloy. Over time, the copper has oxidised to turn it a blue-green colour. It has a pointed tip used to scratch notes into a wax tablet, and a broad triangular head to smooth the wax surface and erase the text.
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Tessera
Wealthy Romans installed beautiful mosaic floors in their villas, made up of thousands of little coloured squares called tesserae. This tessera was found at North Leigh Roman Villa, where evidence has been found for at least 19 mosaic floors.