Panel 2 - The Archaeology

This second panel explains the study methods used by archaeology to interpret the oldest strata in an archaeological excavation. In addition, some of the laboratory work necessary to process the data collected in excavations is shown.

“Archaeology comes into contact with the common man, as well as with the testimonies of the ruling political classes (…) and history is no longer only the history of great men, but the history of peoples” – Bianchi Badinelli

Museum panel dedicated to archaeological work. On the left is a Harris matrix showing how a stratigraphic sequence is made and how the different levels relate to each other from the oldest to the most recent. In the centre is a demonstration of what the different stratigraphic levels look like in a soil profile. On the right are two photographs of archaeological work: on the left an example of field work of an excavation with all the personnel, on the right a laboratory photo where data is being taken from the archaeological material with a binocular magnifying glass.
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Stratigraphic sequence

The Harris matrix is a tool archaeologists use to understand and organize the earth strata and structures encountered during an excavation. It is represented as a diagram or map that shows how strata and events, each marked by a number, relate to each other according to their age in the record.

This makes it possible to understand history as events unfolded in chronological order, and to reconstruct the past of a place over a period of time. In addition, thanks to this tool, the information is more organized and professionals have easier access to the information.

Representation of a Harris matrix showing the different stratigraphic levels. From the lower part it starts with the Visigothic period, following in ascending order is the Andalusian period, the late medieval period, the modern period and ends at the top with the contemporary period.
Representation of a Harris matrix where the different stratigraphic levels are represented. From the lower part begins in the Visigothic period, following in ascending order is the Andalusian period, the late medieval period, the modern period and ends at the top with the contemporary period.
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2. The stratigraphic levels in the soil

Stratigraphic levels in archaeology are layers of earth that correspond to a moment in time and are formed by different elements such as earth, stones, remains of constructions and remains that people from the past left behind. These levels accumulate over time, generally one on top of the other, although there are different ways in which they are deposited. These levels are formed naturally or by human activities, and each one contains information about its history and its main characteristics are color, texture, and what it may contain as archaeological material.

Studying them allows researchers to understand the different chronological phases of history, as well as the presence of human activities. It is necessary to understand these levels correctly so that the information is not misinterpreted and gives rise to a false picture of the past.

Profile section of a floor showing the different stratigraphic levels with different colours and archaeological materials in them. In addition, two different walls are represented in order to understand their relationship with the different strata.
Profile section of a floor showing the different stratigraphic levels with different colors and archaeological materials in them. In addition, two different walls are represented to understand their relationship with the different strata.
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3. how to work in archaeology

Field work

In order to carry out an archaeological excavation, the first thing to do is to document and carry out a bibliographic study on the area of study. Subsequently, we begin to study the terrain to know where we are going to work and where we can start, for this a common methodology is the realization of surveys, aerial photos and georradars that show buried structures. Before starting to excavate, the space to be worked on must be delimited. Once this is done, excavation begins carefully in order to document each stratum and archaeological material that is recovered in them. This work must be careful so as not to lose information and to be able to document each chronological phase that facilitates the interpretations. Where and how the materials are found is as important as the object itself in order to recover the past.

Laboratory work

Once the excavation is finished, work begins in the laboratory where the data obtained during the excavation are processed. The first step is to make sure that no documents made during the excavation have been lost, and during this review they are digitized to group them with the work of other years. The material that arrives at the laboratory separated by stratigraphic units is cleaned to later make a study through analysis and classification of the archaeological materials. This allows interpretations to be made about the spaces and strata in which they have been recovered, giving archaeologists a more complete perspective of the past being studied. Once all the data is processed, an inventory of all these materials is made in order to have control over them when they are stored in museum collections.

Dissemination work

Once the data have been obtained and the interpretation has been studied. Archaeologists and researchers carry out a task of dissemination of the studies carried out and of the archaeological discipline as such. This allows the scientific community to write articles based on the data and research carried out that provide further bibliographic documentation on the study. In addition, the archaeological findings and materials are brought closer to the population through visits to excavations and sites, exhibitions in museums and interpretation centers, public talks and conferences, dissemination through the media, and the use of new technologies as tools to make archaeology more accessible, such as the creation of 3D models, web pages, social networks, etc. In addition, these contents are added to educational programs in schools to learn more about our past and how to protect it together.

Archaeological excavation work in the field. Three archaeologists are excavating while a group of visiting children watch with their teachers as they carry out the work. Photo of the Regional Archaeological Museum of the Community of Madrid.
Archaeological excavation work in the field. Three archaeologists are excavating while a group of visiting children watch with their teachers as they carry out the work. Photo of the Regional Archaeological Museum of the Community of Madrid.
A researcher in an archaeology laboratory studies and observes with a binocular magnifying glass archaeological material recovered from an excavation. Photograph from the Museo Arqueológico Regional de la Comunidad de Madrid.
A researcher in an archaeology laboratory studies and observes with a binocular magnifying glass archaeological material recovered from an excavation. Photograph from the Regional Archaeological Museum of the Community of Madrid.
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