FINDS COLLECTION POLICY
References
A. Ethos Heritage CIC Excavation Handbook
Introduction
Finds provide the main methods to date and interpret the various activities which were carried out on any site been excavated. The evidence gained through the artefact uncovered, cast a light onto the social, cultural and economic interpretation of the site and can help direct the methods used to excavate the various strata on site
Additionally from the collected assemblage it is also possible with careful analysis to work out human activities as well as production methods, manufacturing zones and trade relationship with connecting sites
It is a key objectives and corner stone of EH CIC collection policy to ensure a detailed record of its collected of artefacts from it sites. It is also a clear policy to ensure a readily available archive to further research and contribute to the good practice of methods of artefact collection on archaeological sites
EH CIC will use the methods and guidelines as set out in the MOLAS site manual as the basic foundation of its collection policy.
Finds Recovery
All finds from all types of categories and all periods will be collected during excavations. EH CIC good practice policy will try to ensure 100% collection; however, this can be modified by certain constraints and restrictions.
We will also use special techniques and methods to improve collection which will involve, sieving, floatation and metal detecting. These methods will be employed as a matter of course to ensure maximum collection of information from a site.
A key task will be to ensure that all participants on site fully understand the collection policy and adhere to it without deviation. However, the site director in conjunction with his site supervisors and finds officer must be flexible, by taking into account conditions and the experience of the excavators on the site which might require modifications to the policy.
Care must be taken to ensure that selective non-collection from various strata, does not provide a false interpretation, i.e. the selective removal of modern material, from a context that has archaeological artefacts. Attention must be paid to bias collection policy based on the experience of the excavator or a selective policy based on visibility of artefacts. I.e. oxidised pottery sherds are more visible in the soil compared to reduced fabric pottery.
Non collection or retrieval of artefacts must not be undertaken without the consent of the site director and the finds officer. This may become an issue when large quantities of a certain type of finds have been uncovered, i.e. tile waster, large amounts of burnt material or slag. The site director and finds officer must consider the type of information that may be lost if a 100% collection policy is not implemented.
Samples from hearth, drains, industrial activity, manufacturing processes and its connected waste must always be taken. This is to allow proper investigation of the industrial process and any ancillary activities.
Where water logged deposits especially pits and wells are encountered on site immediate decisions must be taken as to their collection or should they be left in sitiu .
Consideration must be given to conservation restrictions in terms of cost and access when these decisions are made. A finds conservator must be consulted before these artefacts are removed.
EH CIC Finds Collection Protocol
A 100% collection policy will be employed on all sites apart from the following exclusions:
1. Un-stratified un-worked animal bone
2. Shells unless deposited as single context as a deliberate action
3. Non diagnostic or un-stratified building material. This includes, non-decorated or stamped tile, non-moulded stone and roof tile
4. Building material smaller than 100 sq mm. This does not include wall plaster, clay daub and tesserae which are to be collected
5. Opus Signinum including mortar, build stone, rubble, cobbles, and post medieval brick, however samples may be taken as directed.
Finds such as coins, non-ferrous objects, bone, horn, and antler artefacts and all ware pottery should all be retained. Some finds are less likely to be encountered, such as ivory, jet, leather, textile and wood and should be classified as special small finds. Iron artefacts should also be kept following conservation unless they are identified as not archaeological relevant, i.e. modern iron inclusion or defence sites most shells or munitions.
Bulk quantity items ceramic building materials, stone, mortar types and shells will need to be sampled and surplus disposed of. The sample policy on each site should be decided by the site director and finds officer before excavation commence. This policy should be explained to all participants on site as part of the site induction. However, this policy may be amended as required by the Site director and Finds Officer who should then relay this change to their excavators.
Discard of any finds should be noted in the site record with justification as to why this was undertaken.
Finds Categories
Coins
All coins must be retained and recorded in the small finds register. They should as a matter of good practice be 3D plotted onto the trench plan. After non-abrasive cleaning they should be identified on site if possible and kept in the small finds storage area. Conservation must be considered as part of the finds process especially if they are of a bronze alloy construction.
Non Ferrous Objects
Non-ferrous object are common on most sites, where there has been human activity or habitation. They cover a wide variety of types and functions but include personal dress items, animal fixtures, cooking equipment, furniture fittings, military items, trade items and a wide variety of other functions. The majority of these items will be of a copper alloy construction, but may also be of lead, bronze, copper and in small quantities, artefacts manufactured in gold or silver. Once cleaned, recorded and if possible identified and recorded on to the small finds register. They will need conservation and advice should be sought before packaging. Consideration should be given to 3D plotting these types of finds especially if in intact contexts.
All artefacts of this type should be stored in airtight containers with silica gel packets and acid free paper.
Ferrous objects
Iron based objects will start to deteriorate immediately after been remove from their context. Ferrous artefacts will need specialist conservation to help stabilise the artefact and advice will need to be sought from a conservator to ensure best practice is follows. As a rule of thumb, the artefact should be stored in airtight containers with silica gel packets and acid free paper.
Nails should sorted in to lengths, construction, head type and bends in its length, All nail finds must be counted and weighed by contexts.
Pottery
Pottery is normally the largest quantity of artefacts found on a site which can provide invaluable dating and cultural analysis. Our policy is one of 100% collection regardless of size, sherd type or quantity. Analysis of the pottery uncovered should be a key part of the onsite process and its recording. Pottery can be divided into three divisions and will be dealt with as follows;
Pottery (Fine Wares)
All fine wares should be washed in cold clean water. The shards should be sorted in the following order process; 1. Oxidised, reduced, grey ware, white ware and slip 2. Sandy, non-sandy, grog 3. Fabric type 4. Shards from same vessel
Rim 6. Base 7. Body shards decorated 8. Body shards non decorated 9. Body shards sooted 10. Forms
The sorted shards should then be counted and weighed by context. . Some sherds will need to be drawn.
Pottery (Course Ware )
Course wares should be treated as fine wares. The shards should be sorted in the following order process; 1. Oxidised, reduced, grey ware, white ware 2. Sandy, non-sandy, grog 3. Fabric type 4. Shards from same vessel
Rim 6. Base 7. Body shards decorated 8. Body shards non decorated 9. Body shards sooted 10. Forms
Samian
Using the DR ID system, sherds should be divided as follows 1. Fabric type 2. Rims
Body Sherds 4. Form
5.
5.
3.
5. Decoration
The sorted shards should then be counted and weighed by context. .Notes should be made on the condition of the sherds, i.e. abraded, heavily abraded or fresh
Ivory,
Amber,
Jet, Leather, Textile and Wood
These finds will require the immediate attention of specialists’ conservators and should only be removed which special advice has been received.
Ceramic Building Materials and Stone
Diagnostic pieces should be recorded by size, weight and photographed.. All carved stone or those with inscriptions should be retained.
Shells
Oyster and mussel shells should be separated into top and bottom shells. They should counted and weighed by their context. Other shells i.e. snail shells, whelks etc, can be counted and weighed. Once fully recorded the collect may be discarded after sample are retained
Painted Wall Plaster
All pieces should be divided into different colours and designs.. The backing of each piece needs to be examined to identify the type of backing it was fixed to.
Human Bone
All human bone will be collected and clearly marked as such. The site director or finds officer must be inform immediately if it is believe to be of human origin. Legal consideration must be taking into account in the case or articulated bone and permissions must be received before they are removed. (see human remains policy)
Bone, Antler and Horn Artefacts
Bone and antler artefacts should be washed carefully and dried away from direct heat. Horn artefacts should be kept in the soil conditions they were found in and kept in an air tight container.
Animal, Bird and Fish Bones
All animal bones in secure stratified context must be collected in its entirety. Bone should be washed and dried away from direct heat. Where possible while on site it should be recorded by species, skeletal element, weight and context.
Review of the Collection Policy
The Collection and Disposal Policy for EH CIC will be published on our web site and reviewed at least once every two years or as required.
EH CIC will notify all our partners and DIO if relevant, of any changes to the Collection and Disposal Policy, and the implications of any such changes for the future work. .
EH CIC holds archives on behalf of its partners, including photographs, plans and reports.
EH CIC will be guided by the Code of Practice on Archives for Museums and Galleries in the United Kingdom (3rd ed., 2002), the IFA Standards and Guidance for Excavations and IFA Standards and Guidance for the creation, compilation, transfer and deposition of archaeological archives.
EH CICs Guidelines for the collection of finds for various archaeological features
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Hand retrieval
• Metal detect before excavation
Post Holes
• 100% sampling of fill
• 100% collection of charcoal
• 3D plotting of all finds
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Hand retrieval
• Metal detect before excavation
Hearth
• Bulk sample of hearth material
• 100% collection of charcoal
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Hand retrieval
• 100% collection of all artefact as per protocols
Middens
• Metal detect before excavation
• Metal detect all spoil
• Bulk sample of soil (min 15ltr)
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Hand retrieval
• 100% collection of all artefact as per protocols
Pits
• Samples of charcoal
• Metal detect before excavation
• Metal detect all spoil
• Bulk sample of pits (min 15ltr)
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Hand retrieval
• 100% collection of all artefact as per protocols
Floor Surfaces
• Metal detect before excavation
• Metal detect all spoil
• Total sample of soil
• 3D plot of finds
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Hand retrieval
• 100% collection of all artefact as per protocols
Roads/Tracks
• Metal detect before excavation
• Metal detect all spoil
• Sample of soil (15ltr) per 25 meters sq
• 3D plot of finds
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Hand retrieval
• 100% collection of all artefact as per protocols
Cesspits
• Metal detect before and during excavation
• Metal detect all spoil
• Total bulk sample of soil
• Possible water logging provides good preservation condition (consult finds officer and conservator)
• 3D plot of finds
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Hand retrieval
• 100% collection of all artefact as per protocols
Wells
• Metal detect regularly during excavation
• Metal detect all spoil
• Bulk sample of soil
• 3D plot of finds
• Water logging provides good preservation condition (consult finds officer and conservator)
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Hand retrieval
• 100% collection of all artefact as per protocols
Drains
• Metal detect regularly during excavation
• Metal detect all spoil
• Bulk sample of soil
• 3D plot of finds
• Water logging provides good preservation condition (consult finds officer and conservator)
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Hand retrieval
• Metal detect before excavation
Dark Earth
• Metal Detect spoil
• Bulk sample of soil
• 100% collection of all artefact as per protocols
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Hand retrieval or machine if large ditch
• Metal detect before and during excavation
Ditch Fill
• Metal Detect spoil
• Bulk sample of soil
• 100% collection of all artefact as per protocols
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Confirm if its natural
• Excavate 20cm below suspected natural layer
Natural Layers
• Metal detect surface
• Metal Detect spoil
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Hand retrieval
• Metal detect before excavation for grave good, shroud pins, coffin furniture,
Grave fill
• Metal Detect spoil
• Sample of soil along line of remains
• Sieve soil if required for small finds
• 3D plot of all finds
• Hand retrieval
• Metal detect before excavation
Context Type Methods and direction for collection Walls
• Metal Detect spoil
• Bulk sample of soil
• Consult building expert
• Take sample of mortar
• 100% collection of all artefact as per protocols
Context Type Methods and direction for collection
• Hand retrieval
• Metal detect before and during excavation
Normal layers
• Metal Detect spoil
• Bulk sample of soil
• Note concentration of pottery, nails etc
• 100% collection of all artefact as per protocols