Virtual Dig

Overview

This combination of workbook and CD-ROM (Win PC only) functions as a "virtual field school" that gives students the opportunity to carry out an excavation using real data. Based on excavations at the Middle Paleolithic site of Combe-Capelle in France, the exercises included in Virtual Dig ask students to access the CD's database to analyze and interpret findings.

Table of contents

PART I INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

1 Overview of Virtual Dig
Installing and Running the Virtual Dig Software
A Word about the Data Used in the Virtual Dig

2 Background to the Middle Paleolithic
The Middle Paleolithic
Dating and Environment
NeandertalsMousterian Stone Tools
Life in the Middle Paleolithic
Suggested Reading

3 Combe-Capelle
Suggested Reading

PART II SETUP
4 Research Design
What Is a Research Design?
Formulating a Research Design
Writing a Research Design
Research Design at Combe-Capelle
Suggested Readings
Exercise: Defining Your Research Questions for Your Virtual Project

5 Unit Definition and Placement
Site Grid
Excavation Units
Unit Placement
Unit Definition and Placement at Combe-Capelle
Overview of the Unit Definition Screen
Suggested Readings
Exercise: Learning the Unit Definition Screen
Exercise: Virtual Project

6 Excavation Methods and Artifact Recovery
Excavation Methods
Excavation Tools
Exercise: Learning the Methods Screen
Exercise: Virtual Project

7 Mapping and Proveniencing
Datums
Methods for Recording Provenience
Recording Provenience during Excavation
Screening
Artifact Recovery and Proveniencing at Combe-Capelle
Suggested Readings
Exercise: Virtual Project

8 Personnel
Field and Lab Crew
Specialists
Budget Considerations in Planning Personnel
Personnel at Combe-Capelle
Exercise: Virtual Project

9 Living Expenses, Equipment, and Supplies
Living Conditions
Equipment and Supplies
Handling Logistics at Combe-Capelle
Exercise: Living Expenses
Exercise: Virtual Project

10 Developing a Field Budget
Exercise: Virtual Project
Final Exercise for Setting Up Your Virtual Project

PART III EXCAVATION
11 Overview of Excavation
The Day-to-Day Routine during an Excavation
Stratigraphy
Excavation Strategies for Recording Strata
Excavation at Combe-Capelle
Suggested Readings

12 Excavation in Virtual Dig
Equipping Your Virtual Project
Using the Interactive Excavation Screen
Exercise: Automatic Excavation
Exercise:Automatic Excavation
Exercise: Interactive Excavation

13 Field Documentation and Mapping
Field Documentation
Databases
Archiving and Curating Field Records
Field Documentation at Combe-Capelle
Exercise: Site Notebook
Exercise: Mapping
Exercise: Excavation of Your Virtual Project

PART IV LITHICS LAB
14 Flintknapping:The Making of Stone Tools
Terminology and Flake Landmarks
Flaking Techniques
Lithic Analysis
Suggested Readings
Exercise 14.1: Flintknapping Primer

15 Basics of Lithic Analysis I: Lithic Measurements
Suggested Readings
Exercise: Lithic Measurements

16 Basics of Lithic Analysis II: Lithic Attributes
Common Lithic Attributes
Other Lithic Attributes in the Combe-Capelle Data
Analyzing Lithic Attributes
Exercise:Lithic Attributes

17 Basics of Lithic Analysis III: Lithic Typology
The Typology of Francois Bordes
Bordian Graphs and Indices
Typology at Combe-Capelle
Exercise: Learning the Bordian Typology
Exercise: Learning the Bordian Type Lists and Cumulative Graphs
Exercise: Making Scrapers

PART V ANALYSIS
18 Overview of Archaeological Analysis
Day-to-Day Practices in a Lab
Analysis at Combe-Capelle

19 Analyzing Lithic Data with Virtual Dig
Statistics, Tables, and Graphs
Analyzing Type Counts and Typological Indices
Exercise: Character Variables
Exercise: Numeric Data

20 Evaluating Taphonomy and Site Formation
Damage
Size Distributions
Artifact Orientation
Exercises: Site Taphonomy
Suggested Reading

21 Writing a Site Report