Stratification

Definition

Stratification refers to the layering of soil and sediment that occurs over time, which is crucial for understanding the chronological sequence of human activity and environmental changes at archaeological sites. Each layer, or stratum, represents a specific period in history, often preserving artifacts and other materials that can reveal information about past societies. By analyzing these layers, archaeologists can reconstruct the sequence of events and gain insights into the development and decline of cultures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Stratification helps establish a relative dating framework, allowing archaeologists to order artifacts and features based on their depth within the soil layers.
2. Different types of soils and sediments can indicate changes in environmental conditions, such as flooding or erosion, which can affect human settlement patterns.
3. Artifacts found in upper layers are generally newer than those in lower layers, providing a clear timeline for cultural development and interaction.
4. Careful excavation techniques are essential to preserve stratification, as disturbing layers can lead to loss of context and valuable information.
5. Stratigraphic analysis is often combined with radiocarbon dating and other methods to provide more precise chronological data about a site.

Review Questions

• How does stratification contribute to understanding the chronological sequence of human activities at archaeological sites?
  • Stratification allows archaeologists to see how layers of soil accumulate over time, with each stratum representing a different period of activity or environmental change. By examining these layers, researchers can arrange artifacts in a timeline that reflects how cultures evolved, interacted, or declined. This process not only reveals historical developments but also highlights the relationships between various societal changes and environmental factors.
• Discuss the importance of excavation techniques in preserving stratification and the implications for archaeological findings.
  • Excavation techniques play a crucial role in maintaining stratification because improper methods can disrupt layers and obscure important contextual information. Techniques such as troweling or using small tools help minimize disturbance to surrounding soil while revealing artifacts. When stratification is preserved, it allows for more accurate interpretations of data and a clearer understanding of past societies. If layers are mixed up due to poor excavation practices, it becomes challenging to establish timelines or relationships between findings.
• Evaluate the relationship between stratification and provenience in reconstructing archaeological narratives.
  • Stratification and provenience are interdependent elements that work together to build comprehensive archaeological narratives. Stratification provides the chronological context by revealing how layers relate to one another over time, while provenience pinpoints the exact location where artifacts are found within those layers. This combination enables archaeologists to make connections between artifacts across different strata and identify patterns of behavior, trade, or migration. A thorough understanding of both concepts leads to richer interpretations of past cultures and their interactions with their environment.

Related terms

Context: The circumstances surrounding an artifact's discovery, including its location and the associated strata, which help determine its significance and date.

Provenience:

The specific location where an artifact is found within a site, which helps establish its relationship to other artifacts and layers.

Stratigraphy:

The study of rock or soil layers (strata) and layering (stratification), used to analyze the temporal sequence of a site.