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DocuSign Envelope ID: 2D970A62 -10C1- 4949 - 9224- E9F2ADB7D568 <br />excavated in 10 cm levels, but thinner arbitrary levels (e.g., 5 cm) may be appropriate in <br />areas with microstratigraphy, especially dense artifact concentrations, and /or unique <br />depositional environments such as rockshelters. <br />The fill from each test unit should be screened by level through 1/4-inch (6.35 -mm) or <br />finer hardware mesh. Artifacts should be bagged separately by unit and level. <br />Photographs and a formal profile drawing should be made of at least one wall of each <br />excavation unit. At a minimum, the base of excavation in each unit should be <br />photographed. Ideally, the bottom of each level should be photographed. Notes should be <br />kept on each unit documenting soil stratigraphy using USDA soil descriptions and Munsell <br />color codes, level depths, features and disturbances, and artifact types and quantities. <br />A permanent site datum should be established that is easy to relocate, and it should be <br />included on the site map and preferably mapped with a GPS device. All excavation units <br />should be clearly marked in the field and placed on project maps, preferably using GPS <br />technology. The site map should also include the site boundary, unit datums, surface <br />features if present, and topography. <br />5. Feature Excavation <br />Prior to excavation, features should be photographed, characterized using USDA soil <br />descriptions and Munsell color codes, and drawn to scale. Feature locations should be <br />plotted on site maps and plans, preferably using GPS technology. <br />With some exceptions (e.g. small- diameter post holes, masonry foundations) features <br />should be bisected, and the profile photographed and drawn to scale. If a feature is <br />determined to be a natural disturbance during the excavation process, its excavation may <br />be considered complete after profile documentation. Features should be excavated by <br />stratigraphic zone; if a feature zone is greater than 10 cm thick, it may be appropriate to <br />excavate the zone in arbitrary levels. Each feature zone should be photographed and <br />characterized using USDA soil descriptions and Munsell color codes. <br />It will often be appropriate to collect soil samples from features for specialized processing <br />and analysis. Consultation with the specialist(s) who will conduct these analyses prior to <br />the initiation of fieldwork activities will ensure appropriate sampling methods are <br />employed. The remaining feature fill should be screened with no greater than 1/8-inch <br />(3.175 -mm) hardware mesh; water screening feature fill through approximately 1/16 -inch <br />(1.18 -mm) window screen is recommended. <br />Artifacts recovered from features should be kept separate from the general unit artifacts, <br />and should be bagged according to the specific context from which they derived within <br />the feature (e.g., which half if bisected, and which stratigraphic zone and /or arbitrary level <br />if applicable). <br />North Carolina Oce of State Archaeology — Archaeological Investigation Standard and Guidelines December 2017) Page 13 <br />