Step 4: Laboratory Processing and Analysis
More About Step 4:
Archaeology:" A Step-by-Step Process
A Case Study: Excavations at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop
Click on portions of the image to learn more about the archaeological process.
Washing
Artifacts of ceramic, glass, stone and bone are carefully washed in
plain water to remove loose dirt.
Sorting
Artifacts are sorted by material. Some categories include ceramic,
glass, building materials (nails, window glass, wood timber), organics
(leather or cloth), bone, shell and seeds.
Cataloguing
Standard descriptions of all kinds of artifacts have been developed. These
codes are entered into the computer so that statistical studies may be
carried out and catalogues can be printed.
A Pictorial Guide To The Five Step Process: