Archaeology
Tools
A field-to-lab overview of the tools archaeologists use to find, record, and interpret material remainsโespecially stone, ceramics, and sediments.
Fieldwork
Excavation & Recovery
Tools for careful removal of deposits, controlled collection, and context-first decision making.
Trowels & small picks
Primary tools for controlled excavation. Used to shave thin layers, define edges, and expose stone, bone, and ceramics without damaging surfaces.
Brushes, dental tools, and bamboo picks
For delicate cleaning around artifacts and features. Ideal when stone surfaces, residues, or micro-stratigraphy must remain intact.
Screens & flotation
Screening catches small artifacts and debitage; flotation separates light botanical remains from sedimentsโcritical for diet and environment reconstructions.
Bags, labels, and chain-of-custody
Archival bags, tags, and permanent inks keep provenience secure. Consistent labeling prevents data loss and supports later analysis and publication.
Recording & Measurement
Documentation tools that preserve contextโso interpretations can be checked, replicated, and improved over time.
Context sheets & registers
Standardized forms for stratigraphy, features, and finds. They capture what was done, what was found, and why decisions were made.
Total station & GNSS
High-precision spatial recording for artifacts, features, and grids. Enables accurate maps, sections, and 3D models of excavation units.
Measuring tapes & calipers
Fast, reliable measurements for unit layout and artifact dimensions. Calipers are essential for lithic metrics and typological comparisons.
Photography & scale bars
Controlled photos with scales and north arrows support publication-quality records and later re-analysis of surfaces and relationships.
Photogrammetry
Overlapping photos processed into 3D models. Useful for architecture, burials, stratigraphic profiles, and fragile features.
Sample kits
Clean containers and tools for sediments, charcoal, residues, and micro-remains. Prevents contamination and preserves analytical value.
Field notebooks
Narrative observations that donโt fit forms: hypotheses, uncertainties, and day-to-day changes in deposits and conditions.
GIS & database tools
Link spatial data to context and finds. Supports querying, visualization, and long-term curation of excavation records.
Lab Tools for Stone & Ceramics
After recovery, analysis focuses on materials, surfaces, and traces of manufacture and use.
Common lab tools include stereomicroscopes for edge damage and polish, digital scales for mass and density comparisons, hand lenses for quick mineral checks, and reference collections for controlled comparisons. For stone tools, analysts often document platform attributes, scar patterns, and raw material traits; for ceramics, paste, temper, and surface treatments are recorded alongside forms and decoration.
Explore stone materials
Browse specimens, lapidary rough, and curated picks from Ornamental Stones LLC.