POST-FIELDWORKANALYSIS AND ARCHIVING 185
recommended that a quantified estimate of the survey
accuracy be included.
Presenting topography: Site-plans should include an
indication of the local topography and environment.
Some thought should be given to how such features
should be represented. Indicating the direction and
degree of slope is very useful and can be done very sim-
ply. At the most basic level, direction of slope can be indi-
cated on a plan with arrows or, following more detailed
survey work, deduced from contour lines (figure 19.4).
Successful representation of the underwater terrain re-
quires effort both in the field and at the post-excavation
stage. If the area on and around the surveyed area is rel-
atively flat, an efficient method of representation may be
to simply put spot heights at suitable places on the site
plan. More complex topography is often shown in con-
tour plans. There are other ways of representing the sea-
bed graphically, including wire diagrams and surface
rendering. These are normally only produced by computer
printers or plotters following analysis of the data by suit-
able programs.
Changes on the sea-, river- or lake-bed may be in tex-
ture or material rather than height. Differences in sedi-
ment, the size and shape of large stones or boulders,
bedrock or vegetation type may all be indicated, and this
should follow the UK Hydrographic Office’s Symbols
and Abbreviations ued on Admiralty Charts, Chart 5011
(www.ukho.gov.uk). An informative topographic site-
plan may have both contours and symbols to help bring
out the detail in a readily understandable way.Specialist Analysis
Almost all projects will benefit from the analytical input
of specialists who will be able to contribute to both
the identification and interpretation of the evidence.
Specialists are particularly valuable when the analytical
techniques employed require special training and/or equip-
ment and when there is a need for somebody with more
experience of dealing with a particular class of material.
The level of specialist input may vary from a major study
of material over a considerable time to comments made
over the telephone, by e-mail or letter.
Different specialists will have different requirements in
terms of the form in which material should be presented
to them, but some general guidance can be offered in terms
of maintaining a productive working relationship:- Obtain a firm commitment from the specialist that
s/he is willing to undertake the work and on what
terms. Do not assume that s/he will be willing to
look at the material immediately or that s/he will
do the work for free. - Specialists have skills and knowledge that have often
taken a long time to accumulate. They should be
accorded the same consideration and respect as other
team members and their expertise acknowledged. - Establish the timescale. How long will the special-
ist require to study and report on the material?
Agree on a timetable. It is easier to hold people to
a deadline if they are being paid for their time.
Someone working for free may be less inclined to
respond positively to unreasonable pressure. - A specialist will often be able to make extensive and
perceptive observations on material presented for
examination but may not be able to provide all
the answers hoped for. S/he is likely to take a very
rigorous approach to what can or cannot be said
about the material with certainty. This close atten-
tion to detail may seem frustrating but in fact it is
a reflection of the problems involved in dealing
objectively with archaeological evidence. - Information such as the context and association of the
material being analysed should be given to the specialist.
A
B
1414121210108866442C
Figure 19.4 By using A) hachures or B) contours, the
topographical relief of mound C) can be represented