62 ARCHAEOLOGICALRECORDING
combined techniques help to ensure that items are not lost
at any stage of the project. Separate sequences have been
used on large sites to define whether the recorded item is
a large timber, environmental sample or artefact, etc. On
smaller sites only one sequence may be necessary.
Tags and Labelling
Each item will need to be labelled with its unique
identification number/code. It is best practice to do this
as soon as possible, to cut down the risk of loss or con-
fusion. Numbers can be assigned and labels attached
while the material is still on the sea-bed (plate 8.3). If this
is not possible, however, then a system for doing this on
the project boat or work-platform is necessary. A supply
of relevant labelling materials will be required, along
with the number register or master list. The sooner this
information is transferred to the main site recording
system the better.
Labelling should be attached to the material as securely
as possible without causing any damage. Labels can be
attached to archaeological material by means of nylon
fishing line, or packed into Netlon plastic mesh along
with fragmentary objects. In the case of large timbers, the
labels can also be attached using dipped galvanized or cop-
per nails, or stainless-steel pins. Never use nails that are
barbed on the end; when these are removed (for photog-
raphy, for instance) the wood will be damaged. Samples
and other materials that are double bagged should have
a label inside the bag and both bags labelled on the
outside. Garden tags attached with poly-twine seem to be
very successful when used under water and with water-
logged objects. These should be marked with a waterproof
indelible marker, preferably one that is also light-proof
so that it will not fade over time. Staedtler permanent
Lumocolor markers have been recommended, but other
similar products will be available.
It is vital to ensure that archaeological material and the
associated number stay together, especially during record-
ing and analysis when the object may be handled a number
of times by different people. The final step is physically
to mark the object with its number and site code to be sure
that its identity cannot be lost and so that any researcher
can refer back to the original evidence. If material is des-
tined for a particular museum, consult the curator about
how and where objects should be marked (plate 8.4).
Storing the Information
As discussed above, information from an archaeological
site will take many forms, from original dive-logs to the
artefacts themselves. Each class of information must be
stored in an appropriate manner with due attention to its
long-term survival and accessibility for future research.
A unified storage facility can be created for all infor-
mation from a site/project in the form of an electronic
database (figure 8.5). In archaeology, as in other disciplines,
computerized record-keeping is now standard, and is
often used in conjunction with paper (or waterproof-paper)
records because it is difficult to enter data directly into
a computer when working in a wet environment. The
key advantage of entering information into a computer
is that, provided the information is entered using an
appropriately designed database program, it is easier to
interrogate and analyse the records quickly and effectively.
This is the case regardless of the volume of data and their
complexity. Although some would think it a disadvantage
to use both computer and paper records – as the data must
be double-handled – the amount of effort required has
two advantages. First, the data entry acts as a double-check
and decreases the likelihood of errors creeping into the
records, and, second, it provides an immediate alert
should data or measurements need to be confirmed or fur-
ther investigated while still on site.
A database is the fundamental collection of informa-
tion, but the database program makes the manipulationFigure 8.5 An archaeological database containing all pro-
ject information. (Photo: Kester Keighley)