A Square Supervisor's Perspective of an Archaeological Excavation

Terry Eddinger

The Locus Sheet

Locus Sheets are the key tools for recording raw data from the excavation of a square. This page explores the basic information one can expect to find recorded on the Locus Sheet.

KRP’s Locus Sheet utilizes both sides of the sheet, which has a total of 14 major sections. Each section is briefly discussed below.
 

Obverse:

1. Identification - This section is where one records the basic information—season, site, field, square number, date, locus number, Square Supervisor, etc.
    

2. Rationale - Rationale refers to why one changes loci. Also, one indicates how clear the top and bottom of the locus can be distinguished from surrounding loci.
    

3. Description - The “Description” section is the most detailed of all sections. Here, one records Munsell numbers (for soil color), information on texture and consistency of soil, size of locus, type of surface (if applicable), and the types and amounts of inclusions, such as stones, bones, organic materials, etc. Also, one can make notes about the locus on the “Remarks” lines that could be particularly helpful for interpretation later.
    

4. Stratigraphy - A locus never occurs in isolation. This section is for describing the relationship of the current locus with surrounding loci.
    

5. Levels - Levels refer to the top and bottom elevations at a particular place in a locus. The set of numbers marked “Location” in the bottom right corner is a reference (a chart) for each square meter within a 6 x 6 meter square. Elevations are plotted according to this chart.

Reverse:

6. Identification  - Same information as #1 but on the backside of the page.
    

7. Pottery - Pottery Pail Numbers and dates that correspond to the locus are recorded here. Also, this is the section where one records the total number of gufahs of dirt that were removed while a particular pottery pail was being used. After Pottery Reading, the results are recorded here also.
    

8. Bones - Bone information is recorded here. Bones are controlled by Pottery Pail Numbers. Also, a listing of any identifiable animals from the bones is recorded here.
    

9. Seeds - Information about seeds found in a sample is recorded here, according to the Pottery Pail Number.
    

10. Objects - Objects are artifacts that do not fit into a previous category. Objects are controlled by Pottery Pail Numbers; however, they are also given an object number. All of this information is recorded in the “Objects” section.
     

11. Photographs - Any photograph of the square that has a particular locus visible must be recorded here on the corresponding Locus Sheet. These photos can be Progress Photos, Final Photos, or special photos of objects in situ (in its original place), installations, etc.
     

12. Samples - Sometime one will take a sample (such as soil) from the square for additional analysis. These samples are listed here.
     

13. Drawings - All drawings that illustrate the location of a particular locus are listed here.
     

14. Interpretation - The Interpretation section allows one to state briefly what is happening in the square in terms of the function of the locus. For example, one may state that the locus is a floor of a building, a debris heap, or a storage pit, according to what is appropriate.

That is the Locus Sheet in brief. As one can see, some of the information is recorded at the onset of excavating the locus while other information cannot be recorded until a much later. The Square Supervisor must be diligent and give careful attention to detail in order to correctly and completely record all the available data concerning a locus.

• The Locus Sheet
• Before the Excavation
• Beginning the Excavation
• A Typical Day
  • In the Field
  • Afternoon...and the Work Continues
  • Evenings
• End of the Season