Stratigraphy

Conclusions

On stratified sites, our data on the ordering of events consist of observable evidence of stratigraphic superposition of deposits and features and cutting of interfaces into pre-existing deposits. Sometimes this evidence maybe difficult to recognize in the field, and archaeologists spend years gaining experience in the detection of interfaces and features. Once they have entered such information into their field notes, however, we can use careful analysis of the individual observations, usually with the aid of Harris matrices and computer software, to detect probable errors in the stratigraphic observations and to order deposits, interfaces, and features in time. Sites with complex stratigraphy, standing architecture, or many noncontiguous excavation areas are likely to produce multilinear sequences with many units of uncertain stratigraphic order. We must then turn to other methods, some of which are discussed in the following two chapters, to sort these out.