Feature

Definition

In archaeology, a feature is a non-portable element of an archaeological site that is created by human activity, such as walls, pits, or hearths. Features provide crucial information about the daily lives, activities, and organization of past cultures, making them essential for understanding the context of artifacts and the stratigraphy of a site.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Features cannot be removed from their locations without losing their context, making them different from artifacts.
2. Common types of features include post holes, storage pits, and fire hearths, each offering insights into past human behaviors.
3. The analysis of features can reveal patterns of construction, use, and abandonment within archaeological sites.
4. Features are often related to specific activities or functions within a community, helping to reconstruct social organization.
5. Understanding the relationship between features and surrounding artifacts is key to establishing a site's chronological sequence.

Review Questions

• How do features differ from artifacts in terms of their importance in archaeological excavation?
  • Features differ from artifacts primarily in their portability; while artifacts are movable objects that can be collected and analyzed separately, features are non-portable elements that must remain in place to preserve their contextual significance. Features provide critical information about human activity and organization within a site. The study of features helps archaeologists understand how spaces were used and the relationships between various elements within a community.
• In what ways do features contribute to our understanding of stratigraphy during excavation?
  • Features play a vital role in understanding stratigraphy as they are integral to establishing the chronological sequence of human activity at a site. By analyzing the relationship between different features and the layers of soil (strata) they occupy, archaeologists can determine the order in which events occurred. This helps in reconstructing not only the timeline but also the cultural practices associated with specific layers, enhancing our overall understanding of the site’s history.
• Evaluate the significance of feature analysis in reconstructing social structures of ancient communities based on excavation findings.
  • Feature analysis is significant for reconstructing social structures because it reveals how spaces were organized and utilized within ancient communities. By examining features like hearths or storage pits alongside artifacts, archaeologists can infer patterns of daily life and social interactions. This evaluation allows researchers to hypothesize about communal activities, social hierarchies, and resource management practices that characterized those communities, providing a richer picture of their societal dynamics.

Related terms

Artifact: An artifact is any portable object made or used by humans, such as tools, pottery, or jewelry, that is found during excavation and can provide insights into past cultures.

Context: Context refers to the relationship between artifacts and features at a site, including their spatial and temporal associations, which help archaeologists interpret the significance of the finds.

Stratigraphy:

Stratigraphy is the study of rock layers (strata) and layering in archaeology, which helps to understand the chronological sequence of features and artifacts at a site.