01
Front
What is an archaeological context?
Back
A distinct deposit, cut, or other stratigraphic unit identified during excavation; it is a basic unit for recording archaeological evidence.
Free Online Flashcard Deck
3 Context and Archaeological Relationships Free Online FlashCards
Study 3 Context and Archaeological Relationships with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
12 cards
02
Front
What evidence helps archaeologists identify a context?
Back
Observable differences such as boundaries, color, texture, composition, or inclusions, along with relationships to nearby deposits and features.
03
Front
Why must contexts be documented carefully during excavation?
Back
Excavation removes deposits, so records must preserve their characteristics, location, and relationships for later analysis and reassessment.
04
Front
What is a deposit?
Back
Material that has accumulated or been placed in a location, through natural processes or human actions.
05
Front
What does a cut record?
Back
A boundary created by removing or displacing material, such as when digging a pit or ditch. It is a negative context.
06
Front
What is a fill in archaeological stratigraphy?
Back
A deposit of material placed or accumulated inside a cut.
07
Front
What is an archaeological feature?
Back
An interpreted archaeological entity recognized through one or more contexts.
08
Front
Which contexts make up a filled pit feature?
Back
The pit feature comprises its cut and fills, but these contexts are recorded separately as distinct evidence.
09
Front
What does an undisturbed deposit lying above another usually indicate?
Back
If one deposit lies above another without disturbance, the upper deposit is generally later.
10
Front
How does a cut relate in time to a deposit it truncates?
Back
The cut is later than the deposit it truncates because the cut removed material that was already there.
11
Front
What is the relative sequence of a cut and its fill?
Back
A fill must postdate the creation of the cut it occupies.
12
Front
What can stratigraphic relationships establish—and what can they not establish alone?
Back
Stratigraphic relationships establish relative order, but do not by themselves provide calendar dates.
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