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Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center / Educators

Archaeology Terms

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Tool Kit

An archaeologist's tool kit is comprised of several tools, along with the larger tools needed for excavation.

Tool kit

Tools in the kit include bags, tags, twisties, a film canister to hold fragile artifacts, pencil, marker, trowel, root cutter, wooden pick, two brushes, line level, string, nails to mark the unit border, rulers, tape measure, and files.
File

Files: Used out in the "field" or on an archaeological dig, files are essential for keeping shovels, trowels and other items sharpened.
Line Level

Line Level: A small level that sits on top of a string that is attached to a datum point. The string, when pulled taut, will allow an archaeologist to use the level and then measure the depth below the datum point (an extremely useful tool on a dig!!).
Probe

Probe: Soil probes are used to find the depths of soil layers of feature stains.
Screen

Screen: Field screens are used to catch artifacts that are larger than the 1/4" mesh.
Shovel

Shovel: Archaeologists generally use curved spades for shovel tests and flat shovels for skim shoveling excavation units.
Trowel

Trowel: This tool is used for carefully removing layers of soil and creating flat profiles and unit floors.

 

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MVAC Educational Programs are supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. This project was supported in part by the National Science Foundation. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Foundation.