Before the Excavation
Before the excavation begins, the square supervisor is already
busy at work. There are three important elements in this
pre-excavation stage: 1) getting to know the Field Supervisor,
2) reading everything possible about the site and about the time
periods in which the site was occupied, and 3) learning about
archaeological methodology. Let’s look at these one at a time.
 The
first element is getting to know the Field Supervisor. The Field
Supervisor is responsible for all the squares in a given area (a
Field). For example, Field D at Mudaybi’ had three Squares. Each
square has a supervisor that works for the Field Supervisor. An amicable relationship is important
here since these two people work closely together in the
excavation process. Because the Field Supervisor is responsible
for all work in a particular Field and because this person
writes the final reports for the Field, the Square Supervisor
needs to keep the Field Supervisor informed of all work within
the assigned square BEFORE the work takes place. Also, the Field
Supervisor maintains the “big picture” of the Field. A discovery
in one square may affect the excavation method in another
square. Therefore, collaboration is of the utmost importance.
The second element is background knowledge. A Square Supervisor
needs to learn as much as possible about the history of the site
(and region) and periods of occupation (if possible). Any
specialized reading will be helpful. The Excavation Team
probably will have a general reading list that will include
materials in this area.
 The
third element is learning about archaeological methodology,
especially the system used by the Excavation Team that one is
associated with.
The best place to start is the excavation manual used by that
particular excavation. Karak Recourses Project uses
Excavation Manual, Madaba Plains Project. The Square
Supervisor needs to read this manual thoroughly and understand
the system before commencing excavation since the manual will
contain procedures for recording data. Remember, once data is
lost, it’s gone forever—so learn the system!! For most
excavations, the Locus Sheet is basis for recording data. For
more information about the Locus Sheet,
click here.
 The
Square Supervisor will want to study ancient architecture. There
are many ways to build a building. A Square Supervisor needs to
be able to recognize the different styles of construction. In
addition to thinking about vertical construction, i.e. walls,
one needs to learn about horizontal construction, that is,
surfaces—packed earth, plaster, stone pavement, etc. A Square
Supervisor is likely to encounter both of these in the
excavation process.
 Before the excavation process begins, the Square Supervisor must
obtain all the materials needed in the field. The Excavation
Team should provide these materials. Items needed include data
recording items (such as Locus Sheets, Pottery Pail Tags, Object
Tags, graph paper, etc.), tools (meter tape, plumb and line,
pencils, erasers, Sharpies, counter, clipboard, extra sting,
nails, line level, scale ruler, compass, Munsell charts, etc.),
small plastic and paper bags (for bones and objects), Field
Notebook, and a copy of the excavation manual. Whew!!! One needs
a backpack to carry all that stuff! But all of it is essential
for collecting data. Also, the
Excavation Team usually provides excavation tools such as picks,
trowels, dustpans, gufahs, etc.; however, I suggest the Square
Supervisor purchase his/her own Marshalltown 45-5 trowel. (Not
having one’s own trowel is like a stigma indicating a neophyte!
No archaeologist is complete without a personalized trowel!!) As
a side note, I always carry one of those pliers’ tools such as a
Leatherman® or a Gerber®. These tools are real handy in
the field and are good for anything from cutting tennis balls to
put atop rebar stakes to picking up scorpions.
 I was fortunate to have a very good assistant to help with much
of the preparation work. Assistants are usually college students
who have an interest in archaeology. A Square Supervisor does
well to recognize the talents of an assistant and put those
talents to good use. In 2001, my assistant was very adept at
drawing top plans and balks (better than myself) so I encouraged
her to do almost all of the drawing for the square. [
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