First published in 1972
This edition first published in 2015
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1972 John M. Coles
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ISBN: 978-1-138-79971-4 (Set)
eISBN: 978-1-315-75194-8 (Set)
ISBN: 978-1-138-81302-1 (Volume 17)
eISBN: 978-1-315-74843-6 (Volume 17)
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First published 1972
by Methuen & Co Ltd
11 New Fetter Lane
London EC4P 4EE
Reprinted 1974 and 1977
1972 John M. Coles
Printed in Great Britain at the
University Press, Cambridge
ISBN paperbound 0 416 76540 8
This paperback edition is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publishers prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
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This small book has emerged as a result of a belief on my part that the student of archaeology should possess a guide to some of the techniques of observation and recording of the material remains of mans past, to the processes of their recovery and conservation, and to the aims and methods of archaeologists in treating the evidence. The growth of archaeology as a subject for study in Universities, in national and regional societies, in Extra-Mural and Adult Education courses, allied to the increasing number of excavations in this country, clearly indicates a growing interest in the past; it is the purpose of this book to provide some information, selective though it may be, for people who are sufficiently concerned about this aspect of human history actively to participate in the recovery and consideration of the evidence.
The book is not aimed at the professional archaeologist, who will direct and supervise the recovery of evidence through field-work or excavation, but at those who may wish to understand the techniques of archaeology, and the reasons behind them, who will on occasion assist in small or large-scale excavations and field projects, or who will sometimes undertake their own fieldwork in the discovery and explanation of ancient features.
The book has six main sections. In the first, archaeology is described as a technique for the recovery of evidence, and the roles of archaeologists, amateur and professional, are briefly discussed. The second section considers the ways by which archaeological sites are discovered, through fieldwork, aerial photography and detection devices. There follows a section on the types and uses of maps in this country, and on the variety of simple surveying procedures which have been found useful in the recording of sites and field surveys ; these procedures are presented in some detail as they are basic to the accurate recording of all kinds of evidence. A fourth section deals with excavation, and tries to describe the methods of digging, recording, sampling and conserving on a site; other chapters in this section discuss the differing ways in which sites are examined today, the organization of an excavation and the questions of labour relations and safety. The fifth, short, section outlines some of the ways by which archaeologists manipulate their evidence, to obtain the maximum amount of information from it. A final section briefly indicates how prehistoric archaeology is organized in Britain, and the kind of jobs that are likely to be available to students; the vital role of the amateur archaeologist in rescuing evidence of mans past behaviour in these islands is stressed.
The techniques that are described are applicable to most types of archaeological site in any area of human activity, but the illustrations have been restricted to prehistoric sites from England, Wales and Scotland. A list of some of these sites, chosen as examples of the application of the techniques described here, is given at the end of the book, following a general list of books that deal with archaeological approaches and procedures.
I am grateful to the following archaeologists who have given permission to reproduce illustrations from their reports: Mr L. Alcock and the Camelot Research Committee (). All of the other drawings and photographs are the authors, sometimes redrawn from sources acknowledged in the captions.
Parts of the text have been read by a number of archaeologists and others, all of whom have made valuable comments and suggestions. I am grateful for this interest and assistance from John Alexander, M.A., Ph.D., F.S.A., Department of Extra-Mural Studies, London University; Richard Atkinson, M.A., F.S.A., Department of Archaeology, University College, Cardiff; Elizabeth A. Dowman, B.A., London; Dick Feachem, M.A., M.Sc., F.S.A., Ordnance Survey, Southampton; E. T. Hall, D.Sc., Littlemore Scientific Engineering Company, Oxford; Hugh McKerrell, B.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.I.C., Research Laboratory, National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland, Edinburgh; L. P. Morley, Photographic Department, University Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Cambridge; Janice Price, B.A., Methuen; J. K. S. St Joseph, O.B.E., M.A., Ph.D., F.S.A., Committee for Aerial Photography, Cambridge; R. R. Shiach, C.Eng., F.I.C.E., Survey and Development Services, Edinburgh; Geoff Wainwright, B.A., Ph.D., F.S.A., Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments, Department of the Environment, London; Sister Pauline Willcox, S.R.N., O.N.C., Millfield School, Somerset. The whole text has been read by Bryony Orme, B.A., Department of History, University of Exeter, who has suggested various improvements, and to whom I extend my thanks. I also thank my wife Mona for her assistance during the preparation of the book, and for help in compiling the index.
