Archaeological practice
The heads of the practice are well-known archaeologists of Ukraine, specialists with extensive experience in field archaeological expeditions in the Carpathian region: Tomenchuk Bohdan Petrovych and Kochkin Igor Tarasovych.
Archaeological practice is an educational and integral part of the educational process, which is provided
Working program_Archaeological practice and educational and methodological recommendations. According to the curriculum of the qualification level “bachelor” of the training direction 032 “History and archaeology”, students of the Faculty of History, Political Science and International Relations of the V. Stefanyk Precarpathian National University undergo archaeological practice in the summer (last decade of June) in the second semester after the end of classes in the first year. The term of practice is 2 weeks, which is 90 hours (3 credits). Each student is required to complete the practice, as is the study of theoretical disciplines of the curriculum.
The scientific and educational base for students’ archaeological practice is the National Reserve “Ancient Halych”, the educational and scientific Institute of History, Ethnology and Archaeology of the Carpathians of the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, as well as the Institute of Archaeology of the NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv), the State Enterprise “Cultural Heritage of the Carpathians” of the Protection Archaeological Service of Ukraine of the Institute of Archaeology of the NAS of Ukraine, the Institute of Ukrainian Studies named after I. Krypiakevych of the NAS of Ukraine (Lviv), the Ivano-Frankivsk Museum of Local Lore.
Archaeological practice is carried out, as a rule, at the monuments of the Western Ukrainian region, which are studied by teachers of the Department of Ethnology and Archaeology of the university, by researchers of the aforementioned scientific institutions.
Field camps in settlements near the studied archaeological monuments serve as direct (technical) bases for archaeological practice. The field camp is located in adapted premises on the territory of a settlement or in field conditions (mobile, tent camp) directly near the archaeological site. The field camp is created from tents, mobile homes, equipment for conducting field archaeological research, as well as for organizing meals at the site of the work.
The optimal quantitative composition of the group of students is an academic group. The teaching load of the teacher – head of archaeological practice is determined at the rate of 6 hours per day per academic group (subgroup).
During the practice, each student is a member of the expedition team, as part of which he undergoes practice. The student must fully fulfill the tasks stipulated by the practice program, ensure high quality of the work performed, strictly adhere to the rules of internal regulations and safety, participate in the research and household work of the expedition, have exemplary labor discipline, systematically keep a field diary of practice and timely prepare a report on its completion.
During the internship, students are subject to all the rules of the expedition’s internal regulations. In case of violation of labor discipline, the student may be sent to the university with a notification of the reasons that led to his removal from the internship.
The internship manager organizes the implementation of the work planned by the internship program, controls their implementation, monitors compliance with the rules of the internal regulations and safety, and labor discipline of the interns.
Goals and objectives of the practice
The goal of archaeological practice is to familiarize students with modern methods of field archaeological research, to acquire skills for working in archaeological expeditions, to consolidate knowledge from the theoretical course “Archaeology”. Students also get acquainted with the articles of the Laws of Ukraine “On the Protection of Cultural Heritage”, “On the Protection of Archaeological Heritage”, which relate to archaeological monuments, and the provisions on the Open Letter.
The second goal of archaeological practice is educational and educational and defines the following tasks:
obtaining by interns the skills of setting up a field camp, organizing its functioning and life support.
developing the skills necessary for life in field conditions (harvesting firewood, lighting a fire, cooking food, maintaining order at the place of residence, etc.).
obtaining by students practical knowledge of organizing relationships within a relatively isolated team, structuring free time, developing mutual assistance skills, etc.
All acquired skills, abilities, experience of field life and work can be used by interns in their further post-graduate activities. For example, in the search and educational work of schools or other educational institutions, in the organization of tourist trips and excursions, as well as with the possible participation of students in archaeological expeditions.
Tasks of archaeological practice: students need to learn the characteristic features of monuments of different archaeological cultures, the main methods of conducting archaeological explorations and excavations of various types of monuments (parking lots, settlements, ancient settlements, production centers, burial grounds, etc.). Practice gives students the opportunity to show and develop their own initiative, make their own observations and conclusions. Practice involves the upbringing of a caring attitude towards historical and cultural monuments and their rational use, familiarization with environmental protection measures, etc. One of the tasks of the internship may be for the student to obtain the qualification of a laboratory assistant of an archaeological expedition, since the nature of the relevant training during the academic year, practical skills acquired during the internship, entitle the intern to perform the work of a laboratory assistant in accounting and recording archaeological finds, making plans, drawings, conservation of material material and monumental monuments.
As a result of completing the archaeological internship, the student must
know:
what a cultural layer is and the specifics of its occurrence depending on various historical and natural factors, as well as study various aspects of the study of cultural layers and archaeological objects, namely:
methodology of different stages of excavations,
recording and documentation of objects and monuments
compiling an inventory field description,
making drawings and pictures,
methods of conservation of monuments,
be able to:
conduct archaeological reconnaissance or search;
collect and process the lifted material;
prepare a layout of a pit or excavation;
learn to independently draw up plans for excavations and their individual squares or sectors, keep field documentation, primarily a diary;
systematize and process archaeological material, and carry out its conservation. During archaeological practice, students must familiarize themselves with the content of the practice program and fulfill its main provisions.
Content of field training archaeological practice
Archaeological exploration. Preliminary study of the area, archaeological monuments, drawing up an archaeological map of the region. Preparation for exploration. Study of the route. Determination of the task and purpose of exploration. Equipment. Familiarization with the basic search techniques. Survey of the area. Search for the cultural layer. Survey of the population. Collection of lifting material. Fixation of cultural remains on the surface. Survey of the plan of the monument and the area. Topographical references. Description of the monument. Study of layers. Passporting of the monument. Artificial embankments and changes in the relief. Survey of plans of settlements. Survey of plans of mounds and mound groups. Exploration of ancient (ancient or ancient Russian) cities. Exploration of petroglyphs, places of worship. Exploration of defensive structures. Exploration of craft centers. Collection of information about treasures. Archaeological excavations. Preliminary study of the monument, literature about it, field reports and drawings. Survey of the monument. Receiving specific tasks. Mastering general excavation techniques: digging and dumping soil, cleaning the surface and profile edges. Mastering the skills of historical and cultural identification of material. Familiarity with the rules for handling archaeological objects and finds (artifacts).
Mastering special techniques for working with a shovel, knife, brush. Methods for using excavation equipment. Fixing materials during excavations. Familiarity with the principles of keeping field drawings. Photographing objects. Measurements.
Keeping diaries.
Using maps in archaeological work. Familiarity with different types of maps. Measurements of straight lines on the ground. Using a compass, compass, level. Surveying. Semi-instrumental surveying. Instrumental surveying.
Primary processing of materials. Cleaning, labeling, packaging of individual finds and bulk material.
Excavations of ancient settlements. Introduction to some general rules for excavations of settlements (parking lots, hillforts, bridges). Study of stratigraphy. Pits. Trenches. Contour trench. Study of the forms and orientation of the excavation. Breakdown of the excavation. Grid of squares. Excavations by bayonets (layers). Detection of finds. Detection of remains of structures. Sequence of fixation of remains of structures made of clay, stone, wood. Determination of the type of structures. Traces of structures on the mainland. Economic pits. Study of the layout of settlements. Dating of structures. Conservation of architectural remains. Mechanization of settlement excavations.
Excavations of ancient burials. Excavations of burial grounds. Determination of the boundaries of the burial ground using trenches and pits. Search for burial pits. Excavations by area. Excavations of burials. Determination of the orientation of the skeleton, the features of the construction of burial structures (pillars, niches, crypts, etc.). “Cult” cultural layer or layers in burial grounds. Cremation.
Excavations of burial mounds. Study of the external appearance of the mound and its structure. Calculation of heights and coordinates. Measurements of burial mounds. Edges. Diggings. Excavations of the mound. Removal of turf. Inlet burials. Signs of the remains of a feast. Cremation. Hearth and its description. Clearing the hearth and finds in it. Determination of the place of cremation. Cenotaphs. Clearing the pit under the burial mound, skeleton, accompanying inventory. Various methods of excavation of burial mounds (“rings”, sectors). Mechanization of work during the excavation of burial mounds. Safety equipment.
It should be remembered that archaeological excavations are stationary studies of monuments. Quite often they last not one, but several field seasons (depending on the size and significance of the monument). In the chronicle of Galicia, such studies began in the 19th century and will continue for a long time. When excavating monuments of various types (settlements, burial grounds, production centers, etc.), the methodology of their research has certain features. In addition, the methods of excavation of Paleolithic sites, settlements of the Eneolithic era, and ancient Russian settlements are quite different from each other. There are also differences in the study of monuments of the same type located in different soil conditions.
Excavations of a settlement begin with a survey of its entire area in order to identify traces of construction. If excavations are planned for many years, then the settlement area is divided into large areas (depending on the terrain) or into large rectangular squares, at the corners of which benchmarks are installed. All this is recorded on the general plan of the settlement. In the case of multi-year research of a large object, the research plan is drawn up by year.
The area designated for excavation is tied to the benchmark. The latter has a rectangular shape with an orientation to the cardinal points. Therefore, first a baseline is established and marked on the ground with the direction “north-south”. The entire excavation area is divided into squares, and if the right edge of the excavation borders a cliff, then into semi-squares. The corners of the excavation must be right angles. This is checked using the so-called “Egyptian triangle”. In this case, a triangle with sides of 3, 4, and 5 meters is tied from the cord. The angle between the sides equal to 3 and 4 meters is a right angle. In cases of large excavations, the dimensions of the triangle can be increased in appropriate proportions. For settlements of the Bronze, Iron, Early Slavic and Old Russian periods, squares with dimensions of 2×2 m are most often used. The same dimensions are most convenient when excavating burial grounds.
Paleolithic monuments with a large number of flint finds are usually excavated in squares with dimensions of 1×1 m. Ancient monuments, where stone buildings are often found, are investigated in squares with dimensions of 5×5 m. However, depending on certain conditions, the excavation manager can choose the most rational dimensions of the squares. In this case, the dimensions of the squares should be indicated on the plans and drawings. The sides of the excavation are not always oriented according to the cardinal points. Sometimes it is more convenient to orient it according to the orientation of the object being excavated. The direction to the north is necessarily indicated on the plan. The entire system of squares receives digital or digital and letter numbering. Its beginning is counted from the northwestern corner square and the numbering goes from west to east and from north to south. It should be foreseen that during the excavation process there may be a need to increase the excavation towards the beginning of the numbering, therefore, a reserve should be left, that is, the numbering should not start with the first numbers and letters of the alphabet. In accordance with the marking, pegs are installed at the corners of each square, on each of which the number of this square is written. This scheme is also depicted on the field drawing.
Excavations are carried out in even horizontal layers over the entire area of the excavation or in turn in large areas. Excavation is carried out in stages to the full depth of the shovel blade (the so-called “bayonet”, which is approximately 20 cm). As excavation and deepening proceed, the marking pegs are lowered accordingly (the pegs are moved only vertically). Thus, excavations are carried out in horizontal layers, but the main observations are carried out on cultural layers. It is necessary to ensure that the walls of the excavation are even, vertical; in no case should you cut into them, since they are extremely important for stratigraphic observations. If the excavation has a larger area and complex stratigraphy, then additional edges are made for observations of it. After removing each bayonet, the surface is carefully cleaned by evenly planing the soil with a rectangular shovel blade. When cleaning, it is necessary to identify spots of residential and economic buildings dug into the mainland soil. As a rule, they are distinguished by a darker color. If such spots are found, then they become objects of excavation in the future.
During excavations and cleaning, it is necessary to monitor all changes in the cultural layer or building stage, which are manifested in the color, composition, soil density, material filling, construction or economic remains. During excavations, it is extremely important not to uncover individual objects, but to trace the complex as a whole. That is why it is worth increasing the excavation area in one direction or another, depending on the nature of the cultural layer. All buildings, in the order of their study, receive a general numbering – the same for the entire research object.
One of the main rules when conducting archaeological research is to be sure to dig the excavation or its section to the mainland (in some cases, a control digging of the mainland layer is required). It is also necessary to make sure that this is really the mainland, and not a sterile layer. It should be remembered that on a multilayer monument, all layers have the same importance and must be excavated with the same care, regardless of which layer or object is thematically closest to the objectives of the expedition.
When studying subsequent layers, it is sometimes necessary to preserve some find in order to obtain a complete picture of the object being excavated. To do this, such finds (for example, stones) are left on earthen columns, continuing to clear the object. After comprehensive fixation, these columns are dismantled. The found materials must be fixed on the plan, indicating their location and depth. To search for small objects, the selected soil is sifted through a metal mesh like a sieve (“screen”).
One of the most common objects in settlements are pits, which were used for various purposes, in particular, as granaries, garbage dumps, or as places of worship. Each pit is marked on the plan, numbered and examined separately. It is important to trace not only the shape of the pit in plan and section, but also the stratigraphy of its filling. In this case, if the dimensions of the pit allow, then first only half of it is excavated, its section is studied and after its fixation, its second half is excavated. If the pit is dug in loess or other fairly hard soils, we will be able to detect traces of earthenware tools on its walls. To do this, before starting to excavate the pit, outline the visible edge of the pit spot and draw a line with a knife that would recede from this edge to the middle of the pit by 10 cm, repeating the configuration of the pit. It is necessary to choose the filling of the pit along this border. After the main filling of the pit is removed, its walls should be cleaned with a knife and a brush. Sometimes, after cutting off the lower part of the remaining filling on the wall, it is enough to tap them with a knife and they will peel off from the old wall. After that, you need to carefully examine the walls of the pit, using side lighting. You can see traces of work with earthmoving tools, as well as burnt clay coating, if it is a grain pit. The configuration of the pit and the nature of its filling make it possible to determine its purpose. For a more visual representation of the scheme of the vertical profiling of the pit, you can make a vertical section of it, also going deeper into the mainland.
Finds from the pit are inventoried separately, the remains of vessels are collected and packed in one bag with the inscription “For restoration”.
The technique of excavating a dwelling buried in the ground that does not have stone walls is close to the technique of excavating utility pits. However, in this case, it is necessary to pay attention to the structural features of such a dwelling. For example, the dwelling must contain the remains of a stove, benches and steps may be carved into the mainland, and the structures of the lower part of the walls or their imprints on the ground may also be preserved. There are multi-chamber dwellings that have internal walls-partitions. Items from the filling of the dwelling can characterize the purpose of this building.
Particular attention should be paid to the careful disassembly of the material filling the pit of the dwelling. After the dwelling is fully investigated, the mainland soil under it should be dug up, since burials, mortgage sacrifices, and hiding places are found at individual sites under the dwellings.
After the entire found complex has been described, plotted on a plan, and the necessary photographs have been taken, it is time to begin disassembling the remains of the dwelling. In this case, special attention should be paid to the study of the stove, its section, and its design and construction technology. It is also necessary to determine the original dimensions of the dwelling, its construction and layout. It is also important to pay attention to the building material, the method of its processing, dimensions and shape, methods of fastening and overlapping, laying technique, log cabins, mortar, plaster, floor level and material, location and design of the stove, location and depth of window and courtyard openings, various additions, etc.
A significant amount of information is provided by excavations of fortified settlements, which are understood as monuments of different periods that have defensive structures. It is from the words “to fence”, “to fence” that this name comes. The term “fortified settlement” refers not only to ancient cities, but also to the remains of princely castles, storage facilities built jointly by residents of several settlements for shelter in times of danger.
Fortified settlements are relatively easy to find during reconnaissance, since their defensive ramparts can be seen on the surface and they are mostly known to the local population. The earliest of the hillforts are located on high capes near the confluence of rivers and springs, on the open side they were limited by a ditch and a rampart. The following historical periods give a more complex system of defensive structures.
The main distinguishing feature of the excavations of hillforts is the study of their defensive structures (rampart, ditch, system of ramparts and ditches). The study should begin with the preparation of a detailed plan of the hillfort. Then, to clarify the dating and internal structure of the ramparts, their cross-section is made. For this, a well-preserved section of the rampart is selected in the most characteristic place. The rampart and the ditch are cut across by one trench, the width of which depends on the height of the rampart and the soil from which the rampart is filled. Excavations are carried out from the top of the rampart in even horizontal layers to the mainland. All observations of the stratigraphy and structure of the rampart should be recorded on the drawing. When excavating the rampart, traces of a palisade can be found. Tree trunks could be driven into the ground or dug into a trench. At the base of the rampart there may be cages, log cabins or other complex structures. To clarify the nature of such structures, the width of the section can be increased. To determine the purpose of the settlement, excavations should be carried out on its territory.
Burial monuments are an important source for reconstructing the worldview of ancient societies.