Questions Before Reading The Evidence?

RelicDig approaches archaeology as a careful process of observation, recording, and interpretation. Instead of treating an artifact as an isolated discovery, the course shows how its layer, coordinates, surrounding soil, condition, and relationship to nearby features shape what can responsibly be said about it. Beginner exercises use photographs, maps, simulated deposits, field sheets, and replica materials to make these principles easier to examine without encouraging unsupervised excavation.
Record before moving evidence
Separate observation from interpretation
Compare layers, features, and disturbances
Treat cultural heritage responsibly

Practice Built Around Context

The learning method follows the same basic logic used in archaeological recording: observe what is present, document its position, and only then consider what the evidence may mean.

Evidence Before Explanation

Learners describe soil color, material, depth, boundaries, and visible condition before assigning an age, function, or historical story.

Records That Stay Usable

Exercises connect find numbers, coordinates, photographs, labels, plans, and field notes so that each piece of information remains traceable.

Questions About The Course Approach

Does the course involve real excavation?
The course introduces excavation principles through supervised-style examples, site photographs, stratigraphic diagrams, simulated deposits, and mock recording tasks. It does not grant permission to excavate land or encourage learners to remove archaeological material independently.
Practice may include identifying layers and disturbances, reading a grid, assigning mock find numbers, writing context descriptions, drawing simple plans and sections, and comparing photographed artifacts by material, form, surface, and condition.
No previous field experience is assumed. Key terms such as context, provenience, stratigraphy, feature, deposit, assemblage, and relative dating are introduced through concrete examples before they are used in more detailed recording exercises.

Notes From The Archaeology Record