Glossary

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Anomaly: A change in the soil that can be detected when using ground penetrating radar (GPR) or other geophysical instruments. An anomaly can be a sign of objects, utility pipes, disturbed areas, post holes, or more and can indicate a potential archeology site.

Archeology: The science of using material remains (artifacts and features such as foundations) and soil information to understand humans, their daily lives, and past events.

Artifacts: A human-made object that is found and collected during archeological excavations.

Catalog: Data collection process where an artifact is identified, counted, measured, characteristics noted, and then given a unique number to track and organize artifacts in a database.

Dredging: The process of scooping dirt from the bottom of a river, harbor, any area of water, to deepen it. The removed dirt is called dredge spoil. Historically, dredge spoil from the Savannah River has been placed on Cockspur Island.

Feature: A nonportable element of an archeology site that indicates human activity. These can be hearths, trash pits, foundations, postholes, fire pits, and more. A feature can be defined by a difference in color or material to surrounding soil, such as a dark circle or an abundance of artifacts.

Flotation: A time consuming process done in the lab that recovers very small archeological materials from soil. A soil sample is mixed with lots of water and the heavier objects (tiny pieces of brick, ceramics, etc.) fall to the bottom while lighter objects (charcoal, wood, and seeds) float on the water’s surface. The tiny artifacts are collected and dried; then an archeologist uses a magnifying glass and tools to sort and identify objects.

GIS Map Database: Geographic Information System (GIS) is computer software that stores, analyzes, and visualizes geographic data. Using these maps and software allows for multiple maps to be overlayed and compared, along with GPS data and coordinates, which can help find potential archeology sites.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR): A noninvasive technology that uses a machine to send energy waves into the ground and measures how fast they bounce back. If something is underground the energy wave will bounce back sooner and an anomaly will appear on the readout. This is one way that archeologists can test an area for a potential archeology site without having to dig.

Hearth: A place where a fire is built and maintained for cooking and heating. It is usually constructed of brick or stone and can include types of fireplaces, stoves, and other appliances.

LiDAR: Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a remote sensing technology that uses laser to measure distances to objects. It creates an accurate 3D image of the environment or object and can include large areas or objects.

Magnetometer: A device used to measure the strength of a magnetic field. They are used in compasses, machines, and metal detectors. In archeology they can be used to find mineral deposits or archeological artifacts.

Privy: A small structure that was used as an outhouse or outdoor toilet. These could be located far away from main areas or quarters. Trash was often thrown into privies as well, meaning there can be many artifacts found here in a large concentration.

Profile: In archeology, this is a vertical face of soil showing the horizonal layers of soil. A profile can be the side wall of a unit or can be in a partially excavated feature. A unit wall profile will show the layers of soil, potential features, and can show if an area has been disturbed previously by digging or construction.

Profile Map: This is a measured and drawn map that archeologists create when a unit is completed or half of a feature has been excavated. Archeologists will use several tools to ensure accurate measurements of each soil layer and draw how they look. They will use a soil color book to find the color of the soil and define the types of soil (sand, clay, loam, silt, etc.). Profiles are necessary to have, along with pictures and excavation notes, because archeology is inherently destructive, and the soil layers cannot be recovered once dug out.

Shovel Test: A small hole (about 12-18 inches wide) dug to test an area for a potential archeology site. The dirt is sifted to find artifacts and the soil layers examined.

Sifter: Usually a wooden frame with wire screen. Soil is shaken through the screen to efficiently separate soil from artifacts. There are different sizes for the wire mesh that can allow for either larger or smaller artifacts to be found.

Stratigraphy: The soil layers that are created over time as land is used for different purposes or as something different happens, natural or human caused. These layers are excavated one at a time by archeologists and are important for understanding a site. As a rule, the oldest soil will be at the bottom with more recent soil building on top of that, like a cake with many layers. These layers, along with artifacts found within them, are one way time periods can be identified.

Unit: The measured square in the ground that archeologists excavate. The typical unit is a perfect square that measures 1 meter by 1 meter. Depending on the site, units may also be rectangles with a defined measurement. Archeologists are trained on how to excavate units and keep each of the four walls straight. The purpose of regularly-shaped holes is to create equal sample sizes across the site.

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