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5. Archaeological stratigraphy
AudioZoom® by eArs
5. Archaeological stratigraphy
Excavations carried out at the end of the 19th century uncovered a complex archaeological deposit, reaching a depth of about three meters. This deposit is the result of overlapping layers of sediment, each one corresponding to a different period during which humans inhabited the cave—ranging from protohistoric times to the historical era.Based on drawings and observations made by the first archaeologists working on the site, it has been possible to create a life-sized reproduction of this stratigraphy, 2.7 metres tall and 3.8 metres wide, in the centre right of the room. It shows the sequence of layers, which can be viewed from two different angles as you move around it. Each layer of earth tells the story of a specific period. The deeper layers are the oldest. In this case, the lower levels contain artefacts from the Bronze Age, while the uppermost layers include objects dating from the Middle Ages, spanning around 3,000 years. Typical objects from each period emerged from the stratified sediments, recalling the finds actually recovered during excavations. Fragments of pottery and terracotta vessels, tools made of bone and stone implements can be seen.
Two dark wooden beams embedded in the middle and lower levels are evidence of the stilt structures found in the archaeological deposit.We know that observing, describing and documenting this stratigraphy was far from easy.
Exploration records from the late eighteen hundreds report frequent flooding of the excavation trenches, caused by water seeping from the nearby underground river. This remains a challenge even today, forcing archaeologists to use water pumps and artificial barriers to carry out their investigations.
5. Archaeological stratigraphy
Excavations carried out at the end of the 19th century uncovered a complex archaeological deposit, reaching a depth of about three meters. This deposit is the result of overlapping layers of sediment, each one corresponding to a different period during which humans inhabited the cave—ranging from protohistoric times to the historical era.Based on drawings and observations made by the first archaeologists working on the site, it has been possible to create a life-sized reproduction of this stratigraphy, 2.7 metres tall and 3.8 metres wide, in the centre right of the room. It shows the sequence of layers, which can be viewed from two different angles as you move around it. Each layer of earth tells the story of a specific period. The deeper layers are the oldest. In this case, the lower levels contain artefacts from the Bronze Age, while the uppermost layers include objects dating from the Middle Ages, spanning around 3,000 years. Typical objects from each period emerged from the stratified sediments, recalling the finds actually recovered during excavations. Fragments of pottery and terracotta vessels, tools made of bone and stone implements can be seen.
Two dark wooden beams embedded in the middle and lower levels are evidence of the stilt structures found in the archaeological deposit.We know that observing, describing and documenting this stratigraphy was far from easy.
Exploration records from the late eighteen hundreds report frequent flooding of the excavation trenches, caused by water seeping from the nearby underground river. This remains a challenge even today, forcing archaeologists to use water pumps and artificial barriers to carry out their investigations.
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By eArsAudioZoom® by eArs
5. Archaeological stratigraphy
Excavations carried out at the end of the 19th century uncovered a complex archaeological deposit, reaching a depth of about three meters. This deposit is the result of overlapping layers of sediment, each one corresponding to a different period during which humans inhabited the cave—ranging from protohistoric times to the historical era.Based on drawings and observations made by the first archaeologists working on the site, it has been possible to create a life-sized reproduction of this stratigraphy, 2.7 metres tall and 3.8 metres wide, in the centre right of the room. It shows the sequence of layers, which can be viewed from two different angles as you move around it. Each layer of earth tells the story of a specific period. The deeper layers are the oldest. In this case, the lower levels contain artefacts from the Bronze Age, while the uppermost layers include objects dating from the Middle Ages, spanning around 3,000 years. Typical objects from each period emerged from the stratified sediments, recalling the finds actually recovered during excavations. Fragments of pottery and terracotta vessels, tools made of bone and stone implements can be seen.
Two dark wooden beams embedded in the middle and lower levels are evidence of the stilt structures found in the archaeological deposit.We know that observing, describing and documenting this stratigraphy was far from easy.
Exploration records from the late eighteen hundreds report frequent flooding of the excavation trenches, caused by water seeping from the nearby underground river. This remains a challenge even today, forcing archaeologists to use water pumps and artificial barriers to carry out their investigations.
5. Archaeological stratigraphy
Excavations carried out at the end of the 19th century uncovered a complex archaeological deposit, reaching a depth of about three meters. This deposit is the result of overlapping layers of sediment, each one corresponding to a different period during which humans inhabited the cave—ranging from protohistoric times to the historical era.Based on drawings and observations made by the first archaeologists working on the site, it has been possible to create a life-sized reproduction of this stratigraphy, 2.7 metres tall and 3.8 metres wide, in the centre right of the room. It shows the sequence of layers, which can be viewed from two different angles as you move around it. Each layer of earth tells the story of a specific period. The deeper layers are the oldest. In this case, the lower levels contain artefacts from the Bronze Age, while the uppermost layers include objects dating from the Middle Ages, spanning around 3,000 years. Typical objects from each period emerged from the stratified sediments, recalling the finds actually recovered during excavations. Fragments of pottery and terracotta vessels, tools made of bone and stone implements can be seen.
Two dark wooden beams embedded in the middle and lower levels are evidence of the stilt structures found in the archaeological deposit.We know that observing, describing and documenting this stratigraphy was far from easy.
Exploration records from the late eighteen hundreds report frequent flooding of the excavation trenches, caused by water seeping from the nearby underground river. This remains a challenge even today, forcing archaeologists to use water pumps and artificial barriers to carry out their investigations.