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On-Site Field Lab
In order to deal with the recovery of thousands of artifacts that were uncovered at the site, Baker archaeologists established a remote field lab that served as an extension of the main archaeological laboratory facility located in Pittsburgh. In essence, the field lab served as a check and balance between the field and laboratory prior to the return of any materials to Pittsburgh. The responsibilities of this field lab included assuring the accuracy of the recordation process in the field, initial artifact and sample processing, and assigning of individual field specimen #s to each artifact or sample prior to formal cataloging.
Main Archaeology Lab
Upon return to the lab, artifacts were formally processed and labeled with sequential Catalog numbers. These unique numbers tie the artifact(s) back to the spot on the site where it was recovered (archaeologists call this provenience). The artifacts within a given catalog number were then separated by general class (e.g., ceramic, glass, metal) and bagged for distribution to the historic artifact analyst. As a means of streamlining the artifact analysis process, the data associated with each artifact was placed in a computerized database. This database will allow the archaeologists to plot artifact distributions, discuss individual artifact classes, and help make connections about site function or individual activity areas within the site, among other things. |
