Site Excavation Methods
Forensic Archaeology
Once the location of a burial site is established/confirmed it is regarded as a
provisional crime scene = recorded in the usual manner by crime scene
personnel.
As part of the team the forensic archaeologist will play a key role:
Bringing valuable knowledge about the burial environment from the
traditional discipline of archaeology.
Supporting the investigation through excavating and recording the
burial site in a controlled and systematic manner
Use knowledge of stratigraphy to reconstruct the relative chronology
of a grave (i.e., which layer was deposited first, and which was last)
Tools required
Site preparation Excavation Site documentation
Pruning shears Shovels, spades Graph paper
and saws mattocks Compass
Screens (1/4 and Square and Transit and stadia
1/8 inch) pointed trowels rod
Metal detector Buckets for Notebook and
Flags on wooden moving dirt pencils
posts Toothbrushes Cameras
Wooden and Paint brushes Protractor
metal stakes Dental picks Tape measure
String or twine Wooden digging Line level
instruments
Evidence bags
and wrapping
Prior to excavating
The excavation process cannot start until the datum point and grid
square are established.
Align level to the grid strings to ensure they are level
Both vertical and horizontal location of items within the grave can be
determined once the levels are established.
Forensic Archaeology
Once the location of a burial site is established/confirmed it is regarded as a
provisional crime scene = recorded in the usual manner by crime scene
personnel.
As part of the team the forensic archaeologist will play a key role:
Bringing valuable knowledge about the burial environment from the
traditional discipline of archaeology.
Supporting the investigation through excavating and recording the
burial site in a controlled and systematic manner
Use knowledge of stratigraphy to reconstruct the relative chronology
of a grave (i.e., which layer was deposited first, and which was last)
Tools required
Site preparation Excavation Site documentation
Pruning shears Shovels, spades Graph paper
and saws mattocks Compass
Screens (1/4 and Square and Transit and stadia
1/8 inch) pointed trowels rod
Metal detector Buckets for Notebook and
Flags on wooden moving dirt pencils
posts Toothbrushes Cameras
Wooden and Paint brushes Protractor
metal stakes Dental picks Tape measure
String or twine Wooden digging Line level
instruments
Evidence bags
and wrapping
Prior to excavating
The excavation process cannot start until the datum point and grid
square are established.
Align level to the grid strings to ensure they are level
Both vertical and horizontal location of items within the grave can be
determined once the levels are established.
