10. Arkeometri Sonuçları Toplantısı - Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı

EXCAVATIONS 1993Based of the surveyand soundings from previous field seasons, 10­calities 4, 12, 42, 49, 91 and 94 were selected for exeavation. The newlydiscovered locs i 05 and 108 were also excavated. Excavations et severalsites were run in parallel during the field season, from 2 June to 8 July,according to a schedule detennined by a multitude of factors includingavailability of observers and transportation. coordination with the surveyparty, various other logistic considerations and the weather. Individualmembers of the field paıty alternated between exeavation and surveyactivitiesas well as between excavations.Exeavation ProceduresThe sites were carefully cleared, removing vegetation and loose soilover an area of a few square merres, For each site, a permanent datumpoint was selected and marked and a smaIl 1 m grid oriented N-S waslaid out and the squares named by combinations of letters and numbers(Al, B2 etc.). The elearing and grid were later extended as necessary,Excavations were conducted stepwise, using conventional tools andtechniques. Field conservation was carried out as necessary, mostly withPVA in a water solution. All identifiable or otherwise significant specimenswere measured in (x, y & z coordinates) and catalogued with a fieldnumber. In addition to identification (taxon and element), the dip andcompass orientation of each specimen's long axis (measured down dip)were recorded. For each specimen the recovery method, condition, taphonomicdetails and other relevant infoımation were also noted. Dry sievingof the excavated matrix was conducted using a 5 mm grid, but onlyproduced a smaIl number of additional fossils of minor importance. Wetsieving was undeıtaken for a limited volume of matrix from all sites, andfor substantial volumes when a significant content of small fossils wasencountered.The specimenswere transported back to the lodgings for preparationand laboratory conservation. The field data were successively transferredto a computerised database, during which process the preliminary identificationswere updated and a catalog number was assigned (AS. year,running number; e.g., AS. 93. 113) and written on the specimen usingpremanent india ink. (All Sinap fossils are assigned such a unique singlesequencerunning catalog number, and the origin [ excavatiorı, trenching.dry sieving, wet sieving, suıface] is coded for. Thus any one category[e.g., excavation] can easily be extracted for separate examination, andno ambiguity of specimen identification can arise). The original field191