The Process of Archaeology

Step 1: Ask a question. Decide what it is you want to know about the people who lived in the past.

Step 2: Research what is already known. Read reports of other archaeologists. Study artifacts. Research folklore. Listen to local legends. Archaeological Reports PREHISTORIC KNOBBED PESTLES FROM OHIO By Robert W. Morris Dept. of Geology Wittenberg Univ. Springfield, Ohio Figure 1. (Morris) Comparison of three different pestle types illustrating pestle terminology used in the text. Three years ago I did a survey of knobbed pestles which was published in the Ohio Archaeologist (Morris 1995). This survey represented a detailed analysis of 45 knobbed pestles from Ohio illustrating variations in overall shape, as well as different styles of the poll, handle, base and basal periphery. The common terminology applied. To the main parts of a pestle (i.e. poll, handle, base, basal periphery) and used in this paper is illustrated in Figure 1.My definition of a knobbed pestle refers to any pestle which has either a distinctly knobbed poll (Fig. 1) or some degree of flare or expansion of the poll relative to the diameter of the handle. It has become evident to me that a wide variety of knobbed pestles exists, not only in variations of the poll, but also major differences in the handle and the base. My earlier survey (Morris 1995) described many of these differences using specific pestles illustrated in 18 photographs and 10 drawings. The purpose of this paper is to describe and illustrate additional examples of knobbed pestles from Ohio which not only show other variations which exist, but also document specific pestles from known localities in Ohio. This paper presents information based on the analysis of 23 knobbed pestles which I have measured and studied during the past three years. It combines new data with that from my earlier survey to give a more complete overview of the variety and characteristics of knobbed pestles.

Step 3: Develop an hypothesis. Using what you learned from your research, make a guess that answers your question.

Step 4: Develop a strategy for testing the hypothesis. Make a plan to carefully remove layers of soil to discover evidence of the humans who lived here in the past, and find the answer to your question.

Step 5: Test the hypothesis. A. Study the ground surface to locate places that might produce artifacts of the past.

B. Search for sites that might contain artifacts.

C. Remove the plow zone.

D. Skim shovel the area to smooth the surface so you can get a good look at the color of the soil.

E. Darkened areas may be features that contain artifacts.

F. Carefully remove the soil with a trowel and put it through a ¼ inch screen to search for artifacts.

G. Record the exact location of all artifacts found and draw a map of the feature every time a layer of soil is removed.

H. Float the soil samples, which means wash them through a fine screen.

I. Sort the floated samples under the microscope.

Step 6: Collect and organize all data from step 5. Clean, sort, and record all artifacts.

Compare the artifacts to similar ones found from that site and other sites. Enter the information about the artifacts into a computer data base.

Step 7: State conclusions and share with others. Write articles for professional journals. Create exhibits for schools, museums, parks, libraries, and businesses Teach students and the community.

Thank you for allowing us to recover artifacts from your farm and use your property as a learning lab!

By Anne Tredinnick, June 29, 2005

Note: This PowerPoint presentation was created by a teacher participating in an ESEA Title II grant-funded project for use in the teachers' classrooms. It reflects the individual’s experience at a particular site and is not intended to accurately reflect what happens on all archaeological investigations around the country or world. The teacher participated in professional development activities provided by: Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center University of Wisconsin - La Crosse 1725 State Street La Crosse, WI Web site: All material Copyright © Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse