“Archaeologist” is a term used for people that excavate sites to find evidence of former human life. Archaeologists learn about ancient human lives and how they used to live. Sometimes the items found are so fragile that they don’t yield any data. Archaeologists find artifacts such as bowls, pots, hunting, and eating tools. Even small items help archaeologists analyze the living situation of ancient peoples. They analyze soil available at the excavation site, as well as pots and tools. To perform their job effectively, archaeologists need to have the proper tools. If they do not have the right tools, they can harm the site and ruin the evidence. As artifacts are hundreds and thousands of years old, improper tools can damage them. Archeologists are required to pay close attention and be very careful while excavating a site.
Tools differentiate from one excavation site to another. Some excavations require small tools and some require big ones. There are also a variety of different tools for different sites. You can get an entire box of tools from Amazon or elsewhere, according to your requirements.
Here are some basic tools that archaeologists carry with them to almost every site. These tools are good for beginners too.
Shovels: Shovels are used to remove the loose layers of soil from the ground to get to the artifacts buried underneath. When the upper layer has been removed, then the soil is cleared away very carefully with a flat-edged shovel. If it is removed abruptly, then it can harm the artifacts. The size of artifacts can vary depending on the type. Sometimes they are found in small pieces. So being careful while removing dust is very important.
Spades: Spades are used to remove loose soil from the ground. It also helps remove soil from the main site.
Buckets, dustpans, or wheelbarrows: These tools are used to take away the soil that’s been removed from the main site. Layers close to the artifacts are taken into the lab for analysis.
Trowels: A trowel is used when there is no room for a shovel to be used. A trowel is smaller and more pointed than a shovel, allowing work to proceed in a smaller space.
Sieves: When archaeologists want to process a small part of the soil, they use a sieve instead of a screen. A sieve can be used to process a small portion of the soil without too much hassle. It is best used for those soil layers closest to the artifacts.
Brushes: Brushes of various sizes are used during excavation. If an artifact is small, then a small brush is used to remove dirt from its surroundings. Dirt needs to be removed gently, without harming the artifact. A large brush can be used while digging to make sure if a found object is worth extracting or not. Excavating for evidence, even for smaller items, can take hours, so it is helpful to get an idea of an item’s worth in advance.
Screens: A large amount of soil is sifted with these tools to separate out smaller artifacts. The holes in screens only allow dust through.
Plastic scrapers: Scrapers have round corners. They are also pointed, depending on what kind of scraper you are using. Scrapers are used to clean up dust from the tougher sections of a site. Small scrapers can fit into smaller areas and remove dust without causing any trouble. Plastic scrapers are softer than metal scrapers. They give users more control over their hand. If a scraper is stiff yet delicate, it will break before it can damage the artifact.
Finds tray: If an excavation site is large, you cannot put all your finding in a plastic bag; it may harm the artifacts. A tray can be used for temporarily storing artifacts for transport. It will also keep them separated to minimize any possible damage. After taking them to a safer site, these findings can be put into different bags and sealed.
Plastic bags: When an artifact has been found, it is put into a bag to secure it before taking it to a lab for analysis. In the lab, archaeologists clean the artifact using finer tools.
Flags: Small flags are used on a site to mark the places where objects have been found. Flags let other archaeologists and workers know that this place needs to be navigated gently.
Camera: A camera is not a tool that you will be using during the excavation, but it is a very important part of the process. You need to document every step of your activity and a camera helps you do that. You can take hundreds of pictures to make sure you have not missed anything. It will also help you document the position the artifacts were found in and in what condition.
Dental tools: Dental tools are probably the smallest tools used at an excavation site. They are similar to the ones a dentist uses. A dental pick allows the removal of dirt in smaller areas. It can also be used to remove dirt from the smaller but sturdier artifacts themselves.
Gloves: Latex grip gloves are an essential instrument in your archaeological kit. When you are at a new site it is dangerous to touch anything with bare hands. There could be poisonous plants and toxic artifacts. Make sure you have several pairs of gloves with you when you go on an excavating adventure.
Safety glasses: Eye protection is required when you are excavating on a site. Excavating a site is somewhat similar to construction, there is sand all around you. To save yourself from a compromised vision it is necessary to wear eye protection. Eye protection glasses can be worn over regular glasses without causing you any trouble.
Compass: Archaeology is not as easy as one might think it is. You will be in a stranger kand with no one but only your team around you. Sometimes there will be a network on your phone and sometimes there won’t be. So what will you do if you find yourself in an unrecognized location without a phone signal? You take out your campus and follow it. Yes in these hard situations compass will help you find out your way. When nothing works out compass can be your most reliable companion.
Measuring tape: A measuring tape comes in handy when you need to measure the distance between artifacts or artifacts themselves. A measuring tape will help you figure out a location and other possible locations near it. It will also be helpful in figuring out the nearest possible sites.
Whistle: A whistle comes in handy when your and your team are working at a large site. Sometimes your team members are at a distance from you where they can not hear your voice. In this scenario having a whistle by your side will keep you safe from straining your voice after a loud cry. You can also have special sounds to let your team members know why you are using a whistle.
Magnifying glass: Another essential tool of an archaeology tool kit is a magnifying glass. A magnifying glass helps you look for artifacts in areas where you are not sure about. It can be under a large rock or hidden inside holes. A magnifying glass will also help you analyze a finding better. Bare eyes can not see small inscriptions or symbols available on the findings. It will also help you analyze a landscape better.
Mosquito micro headnet: Imagine yourself in a jungle where there is all type of insects. You have gloves in your hands, shoes on your feet, and full clothing to save your body but what about your head? Any insect can come and bite you. Where some insects will leave your skin itchy others will leave toxins that can cause problems in your body. A micro headnet makes sure that none of this incident happens. A headnet is breathable which will protect you from insects.
Waterproof pants: Waterproof pants are helpful when you are going to a site near a river or any other water area. Waterproof trousers will allow you to work in water areas without letting water bother you. These pants are practical in so many ways, you can wear them over your regular pants.
Photographic artifact stand: When you find some valuables won’t you want to click some pictures? A photographic stand will allow you to click some beautiful pictures of your findings. It will give them proper lighting and proper display. These memories will be forever with you, why not click amazing pictures instead of just informative ones?
Number tents: Number tents will help you figure out a site. You can number the spots according to the findings. There can be lesser than 10 spots or there can be more than a hundred. So be prepared for both cases. Add this item in your took kit too before heading out to a site.
Equipment bag: Well you can not keep all these tools in the back of your car without organizing them. An equipment bag will help you organize your tools according to their requirement in the field. So this is another must-have which you should certainly add to your shopping list.
Waterproof pouch: Waterproof pouches will keep your findings safe in rainy or bad weather. They are practically made of a material that will not let anything in whether it’s water or dust. So your findings will be safe unaffected by the weather condition. Buy two types of pouches one for big artifacts and another for small findings. Things will be more convenient this way.
The most expensive tools that archaeologists use are:
Global Positioning Systems (GPS): A GPS is used by archaeologists to figure out the exact location of a site. The usage of GPS also depends on the level of accuracy acceptable in the field.
Total station theodolite: This tool is used for measuring distance, angles, slope, and elevation of the feature. It is a very helpful but expensive tool.
Resistivity meters: A resistivity meter is used to analyze the electrical resistance under the ground caused by the existence of artifacts. The patterns of resistance are documented and interpreted. Artifacts can be detected during the survey because their resistivity exists around them in the soil underground.
Magnetometers ground penetrating radar: This tool allows excavators to “look at” what is beneath the ground without excavating it. Anything that can cause changes in sediment can be detected using this tool. It detects any disruption found underground, like an artifact or a structure.
While excavating, archaeologists can find very delicate objects such as human and animal remains. Delicate objects are handled by expert archaeologists. Archaeologists also need to look after their health as they might come across an object that contains toxins.
