Feature (archaeology)
In
Features are distinguished from artifacts in that they cannot be separated from their location without changing their form. Artifacts are portable, while features are non-portable.[3] Artifacts and features can both be made from any available material, with the primary distinction being portability.[1]
Features and artifacts differ from ecofacts.
Types
Features are categorized by the time period, as either historic or prehistoric. Prehistoric archaeology refers to the time in history before human life was recorded or documented, while historic archaeology refers to the time period where there was a documented human past.[5]
In relation to site
Context
Features have a specific stratigraphic context as well as helping to provide details of context for artifacts. Often times an artifact's provenience can be defined in part by the feature it is associated with (if such a feature exists).
Examples
Features specific to certain architecture types or eras such as trilithon for the purposes of this article are not considered generic. Generic features are feature types that can come from a broad section in time of the archaeological record if not all of it. Generic types can include:
- Cuts
- Re-cuts
- Pits
- Post holes
- Stake holes
- Construction cuts
- Robber trenches
- Walls
- Foundations
- Ditches
- Drains
- Wells
- Cisterns
- Hearths
- Stairs and steps
- Enclosures
- Lynchets
- Graves
- Burials
- Middens
- Pit-houses
- Fire pits
See also
- Archaeological association
- Archaeological context
- Archaeological field survey
- Archaeological plan
- Archaeological section
- Cut (archaeology)
- Excavation
- Fill (archaeology)
- Harris matrix
- Relationship (archaeology)
- Single context recording
References
- ^ a b Emery, Katy Meyers (2011-10-04). "Archaeology 101: Artifact versus Feature". MSU Campus Archaeology Program. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
- ^ a b c "Archaeological Process". www.alexandriava.gov. Archived from the original on 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
- ^ Jones, James (November 1993). "ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES" (PDF).
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(help) - ^ "What is Archaeology?". Society for American Archaeology. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
- ^ "What is Archaeology?". archaeology.elpasotexas.gov. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
- The MoLAS archaeological site manual MoLAS, London 1994. ISBN 0-904818-40-3. Rb 128pp. bl/w
External links
- Media related to Archaeological features at Wikimedia Commons