Talk:Shovel test pit

Rename to test pit?

Should this stub be renamed to test pit? It can then cover Shovel test pits and also the standard 1m square test pits? Viv Hamilton 21:08, 7 March 2006 (UTC)

I think you could argue they are different things. STPs seem to be more of a structured artefact hunt through the topsoil while test pits over here have sections you clean and record and are most commonly used to establish the depth of deposits and their stratigraphy, including the geoarchaeological potential of underlying geology. Does anyone use STPs outside the New World? adamsan 10:07, 9 March 2006 (UTC)

Although according to the article, there is a common purpose in each case i.e. to establish whether further investigation is merited. Viv Hamilton 10:39, 9 March 2006 (UTC)

They are both used to see if further investigation is necessary, but at different stages of the process. STP's are done as the primary stage of sub-surface investigation to determine the distribution or presence of artifacts. Units (1x1m square holes) are part of the next phase, which is undergone after it is known that there is something worth investigating. (This is coming from work in Cultural Resource Management (CRM) in the U.S.)

I think all trial evaluation topics could be merged in to trial trenching or a new evaluation article. the methodology of 1m sizing etc is a local methodology.. trial trenching and watching brief activity could all be dealt with under one roofBoris 09:20, 21 October 2006 (UTC)