Page 21 - TVH 2000 Anniversary Shipwreck Project

Stratigraphic Recording Alex Hildred The recognition and study of stratigraphic horizons is a fundamental principal of archaeology and the interpretation of stratigraphy can be utilised in the attempts to reconstruct the way the vessel deteriorated over time. Wreck formation once interpreted provides a source of information for helping to understand the nature and distribution of artefacts. Many variously described and annotated horizons have been identified. Due to different teams working the site in different locations, it is very hard to identify the same horizon in the different trenches excavated over the years. This is perhaps not entirely due to differing descriptions and methods of annotation, but may be a result of there actually being deposits in these areas that are indeed slightly variable in nature. A deposit formed outboard of a wreck which is inclined towards the seabed can be affected by external forces. Overhanging structure in certain areas can result in offering protection and deposition in certain areas and erosion in others. Cross-referring stratigraphy between discrete and geographically disparate trenches has always been problematical. The many seasons of work on Vliegent Hart had resulted in the evolution of a number of conventions for recording the observed differences in colour and texture of sediments. We wanted to build on these rather than create new conventions where possible. This included adopting the existing grid layout in 2m squares and as many of the stratigraphic conventions as possible. Descriptions and conventions adopted include those listed in the Rijksmuseum excavations of 1982 and 1983 (Gawronski and Kist, 1984) and extended by Mark Hollingsworth in 1984 (unpublished). For horizons where no previous on site annotation is available, I have incorporated those used in the Amsterdam excavations (Gawronski, 1986, 1987). The conventions applied to different contexts in 1983 and 1984 included descriptions for the following: Recent deposits, described as: Soft silt carpet Previously disturbed silt deposits Secondary deposits; Compact shelly clay and sand Primary deposits: Clean grey clay Clean white sand / silt Additional surface deposits were annotated: Soft silt / mud Grey clay, fine white sand Coarse sand In 1984 excavations outside the vessel prompted the descriptions of seven different contexts. These included a light surface silt and a number of combinations of clay and sand with shell inclusions subdivided by colour, particle size and compactness. (Gawronski and Kist, 1984; Van der Horst, 1988). - 19 -