Principal Excavation Techniques under Permafrost Conditions (Based on Zhokhov and Yana Sites, Northern Yakutia)

Principal Excavation Techniques under Permafrost Conditions (Based on Zhokhov and Yana Sites, Northern Yakutia)

V.V. Pitulko.

Techniques for excavating Stone Age sites overlaid by permanently frozen deposits are discussed. Two principal scenarios of excavations are suggested depending on the depth of overlying frozen deposits. The sine qua non of such excavations are devices for precise three-dimensional documentation, pumps and sieves for fl ushing, and devices for removing melt-water and spoil heaps. Techniques for forced thawing of sediments and conservation of artifacts are described.