From the world of archaeology

Archaeology elicits information from the ground about the culture and life of people in past ages. During excavation the ground is searched for finds which help to date the relevant layer. Remains of walls are cleaned and left standing. Only after cleaning can signs of human intrusion be seen because of soil discolouration or other material.

Excavations involve planning, implementation and documentation as the basis for further evaluation and publication. Only then can presentation of the finds take place in the form of conservation, restoration or else reconstruction. During excavation the material in the individual horizons is loosened with digging implements and examined for objects (pottery, glass, etc.) in order to date the level being excavated. The surface which is still dirty, well-trodden or dried out is cleaned with small trowels and brushes. Only then can human signs in the soil (former pits, post holes, trenches for thresholds, stoves, trenches for wall foundations, drains) be distinguished because the soil has a different colour or other material is visible. Removal of individual layers causes vertical profiles on the edges of the excavated area. These function as an important check on the different layers and finds. An archaeological excavation ends deep down where undisturbed levels of soil are be found.