In anthropology and archaeology, augering is a field technique used to investigate subsurface deposits by drilling small test holes with a soil auger. It is a rapid, minimally invasive method for assessing stratigraphy, site boundaries, and sediment composition without full-scale excavation.

🌍 Definition

• Augering: The use of a hand auger (or mechanical auger) to extract soil cores from the ground.
• Purpose: Provides a vertical sample of sediments and cultural layers, helping archaeologists identify site depth, stratigraphy, and artifact presence.
• Scope: Common in survey and preliminary site assessment.

🔑 Anthropological Contexts

• Archaeological Survey:
  • Augering helps locate buried sites or features before excavation.
  • Used to define site boundaries and depth of cultural deposits.
• Stratigraphy:
  • Reveals soil horizons, artifact-bearing layers, and natural deposits.
  • Assists in reconstructing site formation processes.
• Environmental Archaeology:
  • Soil cores can be analyzed for pollen, phytoliths, or microfauna.
  • Provides evidence of past environments and human impact.
• Comparative Use:
  • Augering is often paired with shovel test pits or geophysical survey for fuller context.

📚 Importance in Anthropology

• Efficiency: Quick method for assessing large areas with minimal disturbance.
• Preservation: Less destructive than full excavation, preserving site integrity.
• Data Collection: Provides samples for lab analysis (sediment chemistry, microfossils).
• Planning: Guides decisions about where to excavate more intensively.

In short: Augering is a survey technique in anthropology and archaeology that uses soil cores to assess subsurface deposits, guiding excavation and environmental analysis.