The PASH Data Collection is comprised of Five data “realms”: 1) Survey and site data, 2) Settlement excavations, 3) Tumulus (burial mound) survey and excavations, 4) Artifact analysis, and 5) Geological data. All databases, field notebooks, unit and profile drawings, photographs, photo descriptions, radiocarbon dates, and geophysical survey data related to the settlement excavations have been made available in PASH Realm 2. and The excavations we conducted at Kodër Boks, Zagorë, and Gajtan were designed to gather as much data as possible, as quickly as possible. They were composed of test pits (“units,” i.e., sondages), primarily 1x1 m in size, occasionally larger, positioned based on the results of field surveys and systematic surface collections of artifacts, but also with reference to prior excavations (at Zagorë and Gajtan) and geophysical data (collected at Gajtan). Excavations followed natural stratigraphy where possible; when such strata were not present, we excavated in 10-cm arbitrary levels. Artifact provenience was recorded down to levels and features, with important in situ artifacts sometimes being mapped into level/feature drawings along x-y-z axes. When identified, archaeological features (e.g., pits, floors, walls, etc.) were excavated separately from levels. Excavators organized forms and accompanying journal entries by “level” and “feature” for each unit. Each level and feature was drawn and photographed. Artifacts were bagged together by level and type. Radiocarbon samples were wrapped in tin foil and bagged separately. Soil samples were taken from each level using the “pinch” method. Upon completion, a profile wall of each unit was photographed, and, in some cases, drawn. Artifacts (with the exception of metal) were washed in water, dried on racks in the sun, and sorted and labeled in the PASH field laboratory. They were analyzed in preliminary fashion first in the field by PASH staff and later by experts.
PDFs of scans of miscellaneous documents related to a particular excavation, including, e.g., excavation forms, maps of units, and drawings of units and unit profiles.
PDFs of Accelerator Mass Spectroscopy (AMS) radiocarbon reports, including calibration curves. Reports include sample type (e.g., charcoal, bone, sediment), date, date calibrated, standard deviation, etc.
Photos are of each level in each unit, and of features. Photos are labeled with the site number, date taken, and a ID number, e.g., S015-05262014-001 = the first photo taken on May 25, 2014 during the excavation of Zagorë. The photolog lists each photo taken of a site during excavation in order by photo number (site number, date taken, ID number), with a description.
The database for each site includes level and feature forms for each excavated unit. These forms describe each level or feature in detail, including soil color and texture, soil inclusions, artifact density, disturbances, pertinent measurements, etc.
PDFs of scans of miscellaneous documents related to a particular excavation, including, e.g., excavation forms, maps of units, and drawings of units and unit profiles.
Photos are of each level in each unit, and of features. Photos are labeled with the site number, date taken, and a ID number (e.g., S015-05262014-001 = the first photo taken on May 25, 2014 during the excavation of Zagorë). The photolog lists each photo taken of a site during excavation in order by photo number (site number, date taken, ID number), with a description.
The database for each site includes level and feature forms for each excavated unit. These forms describe each level or feature in detail, including soil color and texture, soil inclusions, artifact density, disturbances, pertinent measurements, etc.
PDFs of scans of miscellaneous documents related to a particular excavation, including, e.g., excavation forms, maps of units, and drawings of units and unit profiles.
PDFs of Accelerator Mass Spectroscopy (AMS) radiocarbon reports, including calibration curves. Reports include sample type (e.g., charcoal, bone, sediment), date, date calibrated, standard deviation, etc.
