Feature

Definition

In archaeology, a feature refers to a non-portable element of an archaeological site that indicates human activity. Features can include things like walls, ditches, hearths, and postholes, and they provide valuable insights into the spatial organization, construction methods, and cultural practices of past societies. Unlike artifacts, which are movable objects, features are typically more permanent and require careful documentation during excavation to understand their context and significance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Features are often identified through excavation techniques like troweling or shoveling, where archaeologists carefully expose layers of soil.
2. Each feature is documented with detailed notes, drawings, and photographs to ensure accurate interpretation and analysis later.
3. Features can provide clues about the size and layout of structures or settlements, helping archaeologists reconstruct past environments.
4. Unlike artifacts that can be removed from their context for analysis, features must be studied in situ to understand their relationships with surrounding materials.
5. The preservation condition of features can vary greatly based on environmental factors such as soil type, moisture levels, and historical land use.

Review Questions

• How do features differ from artifacts in terms of excavation and analysis in archaeology?
  • Features differ from artifacts mainly in that they are non-portable elements of a site, such as walls or hearths, while artifacts are movable objects like tools. During excavation, features require careful exposure and documentation to understand their context within the site. This makes studying features more complex because they must be analyzed in place rather than being removed for examination like artifacts.
• Discuss the importance of documenting features during archaeological excavation and how this impacts future research.
  • Documenting features during excavation is crucial because it allows archaeologists to maintain a record of their context and relationships with other elements of the site. This detailed documentation includes notes, photographs, and drawings that help reconstruct past human activities. Without proper records, the significance of features can be lost, hindering future research and interpretations about historical cultures.
• Evaluate how understanding features contributes to our knowledge of human behavior and societal organization in ancient cultures.
  • Understanding features allows archaeologists to gain insights into human behavior and societal organization by revealing how past cultures constructed their environments and utilized space. For example, the arrangement of features can indicate social hierarchies or communal practices within a society. By analyzing features in relation to artifacts and stratigraphy, researchers can construct narratives about daily life, social interactions, and cultural values in ancient communities.

Related terms

Artifact: A movable object made or used by humans, such as tools, pottery, or jewelry, that provides insight into the cultural practices of a society.

Stratigraphy:

The study of rock layers and layering in archaeological contexts, which helps to understand the chronological sequence of features and artifacts at a site.

Site Survey: A method of systematically examining a landscape to identify archaeological sites and features before excavation begins.