The Wheeler

The Wheeler-Kenyon method

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Wheeler-Kenyon method is a method of archaeological excavation. The technique draws its origins from Mortimer Wheeler's work at Verulamium (1930-35), and was later refined by Kathleen Kenyon during her excavations at Jericho (1952-58).

The Wheeler-Kenyon system involves digging within a series of 5x5 meter squares set within a larger grid. This leaves a (1 meter wide) freestanding wall of earth--known as a "baulk"--on each side of a unit. These vertical slices of earth allow archaeologists to compare the exact provenance of a found object or feature to adjacent layers of earth ("strata"). During Kenyon's excavations at Jericho, this technique helped discern the long and complicated occupational history of the site. It was believed that this approach allowed more precise stratigraphic observations than earlier "horizontal exposure" techniques which relied on architectural and ceramic analysis.


		The Wheeler-Kenyon method From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Wheeler-Kenyon method is a method of archaeological excavation. The technique draws its origins from Mortimer Wheeler's work at Verulamium (1930-35), and was later refined by Kathleen Kenyon during her excavations at Jericho (1952-58). The Wheeler-Kenyon system involves digging within a series of 5x5 meter squares set within a larger grid. This leaves a (1 meter wide) freestanding wall of earth--known as a "baulk"--on each side of a unit. These vertical slices of earth allow archaeologists to compare the exact provenance of a found object or feature to adjacent layers of earth ("strata"). During Kenyon's excavations at Jericho, this technique helped discern the long and complicated occupational history of the site. It was believed that this approach allowed more precise stratigraphic observations than earlier "horizontal exposure" techniques which relied on architectural and ceramic analysis.
There are several problems associated with the Wheeler-Kenyon Method. First, this stratigraphic dating technique can only be applied to a site that has formed in identifiable layers; this criterion excludes many sites in North America. It also cannot be used on large-scale projects, and leaves no opportunity for re-excavation by future archaeologists using improved techniques. Sources: Joseph A. Callaway, "Dame Kathleen Kenyon 1906-1978," The Biblical Archaeologist, Vol. 42, No. 2. (Spring, 1979), pp. 122-125.
The excavation below is on the five-hectare site of Tell Sabi Abyad. It has been carried out under the leadership of Professor Peter Akkermans since 1986. It is organised by the Leiden University and the Netherlands National Museum of Antiquities. The mound is situated in Syria about 30 kilometres from the Turkish border.
This map shows the location of areas of an excavation. In the centre is the extensive Assyrian fortress and its moat. The prehistoric occupation at Tell Sabi Abyad has been investigated in five separate 'operations' so far: Operation I to V. Work in 2004 took place in Operation II, dated at about 6100 BC, and in Operation III, dated at about 6800-6200 BC.

Tell Sabi Abyad seen from the west, with the excavation in progress. Left: the areas of excavation with occupation remains dating between 6800 and 6200 BC. Right: the areas of excavation with Middle-Assyrian remains, dating in the late thirteenth and early twelfth century BC.
The excavation in the northwestern part of Tell Sabi Abyad (Operation III), with settlement remains dating between 6800 and 6200 BC.
From: http://www.sabi-abyad.nl/main.tpl?language=en