PREFACE

2. Large artifacts should be tagged, not written on. The artifact and tag should be placed in a box orthe tag should be tied on to the artifact with string. If tied on, tag should have reinforced holes toprevent it from tearing away during transport.3. If artifact is to be subjected to special treatment (i.e., pollen wash), write “do not wash” on bag ortag.4. If artifact(s) must be left in the field (i.e., bedrock mortar, ground stone), it should be mapped,drawn to scale, measured, photographed, and described.5. Minimum Label Requirementsa. Project nameb. Site numberc. Provenience1. F.S. number2. Horizontal unit designation (NGrid, EGrid)3. Vertical unit designation (arbitrary level or strat)d. Screen mesh sizee. Material contents (sherds, chipped stone, etc.)f. Excavator's name/initialsg. DateE. Field Provenience Catalog1. To assure computerized data base compatibility, all archaeological contractors should follow thefollowing procedures throughout the site and the project. If using their own system, contractors needto describe how it works and to define terms and concepts used.2. The following field proveniencing system that may be used to describe and record materials andobservations is flexible enough to incorporate the variety of archeological remains encountered andis standardized to allow for computerization and comparison. The system is based on the FieldSpecimen (FS), which refers to the minimum unit of provenience for description, illustration,sampling, or materials collection. Field Specimen (FS) varies from a point-provenienced item to athree-dimensional unit of volume. The artifacts from each minimal provenience unit (1 m square) arebagged and labeled with the necessary provenience information. Each bag is assigned a “fieldspecimen” (FS) unique to that unit. The numbers and provenience information are then logged ontothe FS Catalog form, which is later entered into the computer data base for the site once the artifactsare brought to the laboratory.ExcavationA. Complete (100%) excavation, Working Definition - The excavation of entire site areas to sterile soilor bedrock is generally considered to be impractical due to the amount of field time this wouldrequire and to the redundancy of information returned. Consequently, the following minimumstandards should be met.1. Complete excavations should be conducted on all structures, features, and artifact concentrations,which are identified by surface manifestation or exploratory methods.2. Excavations at structures and features should be expanded to adjacent areas to determinestratigraphic and cultural contexts. The minimum acceptable requirements are as follows:a. 10 x 10 m block over small (ca 4 sq. m in size or less) surface structuresb. Larger surface structures or any pitstructure, at least 10 m beyond perimeterc. 3 x 3 m block for small features or no less than 3m radius beyond the periphery of theidentified feature; not necessarily a block but any shape.d. Expansion of the excavation block to link features in order to define stratigraphy and locateactivity areas is recommended where feasible6-12