Soil features are discolourations or differences in structure in the ground that reveal former human or natural activity. They become visible when a site is stripped and are the main evidence in archaeological investigation. Well-known examples are post holes, ditches, pits, wells and the outline of vanished buildings.
How do soil features form?
When people in the past set a post in the ground, dug a pit or cut a ditch, the original soil was disturbed. The fill of such a disturbance usually has a different colour, texture or moisture content than the undisturbed soil around it. These differences survive for centuries and show up as darker or lighter patches in the exposed ground surface.
Importance for construction and archaeology
- Archaeological potential — many construction projects require an archaeological investigation beforehand to record features before excavation begins.
- Construction process — if features are found while digging an excavation, work may be paused for recording or excavation.
- Open-area investigation — archaeologists strip the site in horizontal levels and draw and photograph the features.
- Dating — finds in the feature fill, such as pottery or charcoal, help establish its age.
For a builder it is wise to know early whether a site has archaeological value; this avoids delay and unexpected costs during the groundworks.
Related terms
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