Page 370 - Green - Maritime Archaeology: A Technical Handbook. 2nd ed

Chapter 13: Post-Excavation Research 349
sites that have a supporting written record, the documentary evidence can be very important, because it can provide information to explain why par- ticular objects were present and what their function was. The final stage is reached with the study of the pattern of the material in relation to other sites and its relevance to broad historical interpretation. This leads to the formulation of the theories or hypotheses that can be used to explain major trends or processes. Irrespective of which theoretical framework is adopted, the objective of a maritime archaeologist will be to find out as much as pos- sible about the material. This can then be used in conjunction with other information of a similar or associated nature to gain a broader concept of its significance on the site and, subsequently, its relevance in broad histor- ical terms. The following sections deal with the analysis of artifacts, scien- tific methods, experimental archaeology, and historical evidence.
II. ANALYSIS OF ARTIFACTS
The artifact from an excavation is only one part of the archaeological record. The location and context in which it was found provide a record that will assist in identification and interpretation of the artifact. Additionally, as excavation techniques are constantly evolving, it is becoming evident that other types of material, which were previously overlooked, can add to this record. For example, sieving the residue of storage jars can provide infor- mation on the original contents. Similarly, the microscopic analysis of the sediments from the bottom of the hull of a ship can reveal information about the environmental conditions onboard the ship, the diet, and stan- dards of hygiene. It is therefore important that the archaeologist is unbi- ased in sampling the archaeological record and is aware of modern techniques.
It is impossible to deal with the question of analysis of every conceiv- able artifact that can come from a site; however, some general guidelines can be suggested. The ultimate objective in analysis is to explain the sig- nificance of the artifacts in the context of the site and then to attempt to determine their relevance in terms of the history and society of the time. The first step of the analysis is to attempt to identify each individual object. Some well-known objects can be easily identified whereas others may be more difficult to identify because their function may be uncertain. Finally, there may be objects that cannot be identified. For each group it will be necessary to consult standard works on the subject for reference purposes. In the case where the object is well known, there will be a large body of lit- erature on the subject. However, reference material should always be