Counted 47 different pottery sherds in one 2-meter test pit last weekend

Wasn't expecting that many. Usually I'm lucky if I get 10-15 in a unit that size. Most were plain body sherds but a couple had slip lines. Made me wonder if I should be screening finer mesh in that area. Anyone else ever get way more material than they anticipated from a small unit?

3 comments

3 Comments

ivan_murphy801mo ago

Man that's rough but also kinda cool when you unexpectedly hit a jackpot of material like that.

claire_davis311mo ago

Hang on, 60+ sherds from a 2x1? That's wild. I would've thought I was digging through a trash pit or something. Your mileage may vary but I'd definitely be running that 1/8 inch screen after that.

ivanbell1mo ago

Yeah I had a unit like that once, ended up pulling 60+ sherds out of a 2x1. Turned out there was a pretty thick midden layer just under the surface that I almost missed. Tried switching to a 1/8 inch screen after the first bucket and caught a ton of tiny decorated pieces I would've lost otherwise.