Mechanical Trenching
Mechanical trenching of an archaeological site provides a deeper view of buried stratigraphy. Data from mechanical trenching helps determine whether there are cultural materials deeper than what has been uncovered by unit excavation. In addition, geomorphological analysis can provide information about the past environment as well as chronological information to allow for comparisons across archaeological sites.
Why do we do this?
Mechanical trenching of an archaeological site provides a deeper view of buried stratigraphy. Data from mechanical trenching helps determine whether there are cultural materials deeper than what has been uncovered by unit excavation. In addition, geomorphological analysis can provide information about the past environment as well as chronological information to allow for comparisons across archaeological sites.
Process
During mechanical trenching, a bucket excavator digs a trench up to four feet deep (deeper trenches pose safety hazards) in places where cultural material might be deeply buried. An archaeologist monitors all digging in case cultural materials are found. Once a trench is excavated, a specialist called a geomorphologist examines the layers of dirt to determine at what depths to expect cultural materials and whether the archaeologists have dug deep enough. The geomorphologist also takes samples to date the various layers. When this work is complete, trench profiles are photographed, drawn, and described in writing. Then the trenches are filled back in with the same dirt.
An artifact found
Gallery
