Stratigraphic Analysis & Deposit Interpretation
Analyze stratigraphic sequences and build site chronologies with systematic deposit interpretation
by aget-frameworkArchitecture & Built EnvironmentPreservation & HeritageHeritage ConsultantArchaeologyWhat You Can Do
You can leverage Claude as a structured thinking partner to organize complex multi-layered deposit sequences, identify stratigraphic anomalies, build robust site phasing models, and generate defensible interpretive narratives. Claude processes your detailed context descriptions, deposit documentation, and relationship matrices to identify patterns, flag inconsistencies, and suggest alternative interpretations you might have overlooked during field analysis.
Features
Transform context relationships into visual stratigraphic matrices that show deposit sequences and phasing relationships
Systematically document and interpret stratigraphic relationships (above/below, cuts/cut by, seals/sealed by) across excavation contexts
Develop defensible site phasing models by synthesizing deposit sequences, architectural evidence, and artifactual dating
Identify contradictions, gaps, or inconsistencies in context relationships and suggest interpretive resolutions
Organize and interpret detailed field descriptions, soil matrices, and artifact assemblages into coherent deposit narratives
Integrate architectural, artifactual, and ecofactual evidence with stratigraphic interpretation to strengthen chronological frameworks
Process existing excavation documentation and context sheets to build new interpretive models and phasing sequences
Example Output
Input: Detailed context sheets from a multi-phase medieval site with 47 contexts and conflicting depth readings
Output Generated:
- Resolved stratigraphic contradictions by identifying misidentified contexts
- Built three alternative phasing models with stratigraphic justification
- Created ASCII Harris Matrix showing four occupation phases and construction/demolition sequences
- Flagged three contexts requiring re-examination in archive
- Generated interpretive narrative: "Phase 1 (12th century) timber structures sealed by Phase 2 stone foundation cuts..."
Input: Harris Matrix gaps and uncertain relationships for Roman fort reanalysis
Output Generated:
- Identified 8 contexts with ambiguous relationships requiring clarification
- Proposed chronological framework reconciling stratigraphic and numismatic evidence
- Suggested test excavation zones to resolve key phasing uncertainties
- Generated conservation significance assessment based on sequence interpretation
What's Included
- SKILL.md instruction file with stratigraphic analysis protocols:
- Context Documentation Template: structured sheet for recording deposit descriptions, relationships, and interpretive notes
- Harris Matrix Worksheet: step-by-step guide to building relationship matrices from context data
- Stratigraphic Narrative Framework: template for writing defensible chronological interpretations
- Anomaly Resolution Checklist: systematic process for identifying and resolving contradictions in deposit sequences
Who It's For
- Archaeology field directors — managing complex multi-phase excavation sequences and phasing models
- Heritage consultants — interpreting stratigraphic evidence for conservation planning and site assessment
- Excavation supervisors — organizing context documentation and training junior archaeologists in stratigraphic logic
- Academic researchers — re-analyzing legacy excavation data and building new chronological frameworks
- Conservation architects — understanding site stratigraphy for historic building intervention and significance assessment
Best For
- Analyzing multi-phase sites with dozens or hundreds of contexts requiring systematic interpretation
- Building and testing Harris matrices from field notes and context relationships
- Developing site phasing models that integrate architectural, artifactual, and stratigraphic evidence
- Resolving contradictions and uncertainties in deposit sequences and context relationships
- Writing defensible stratigraphic narratives for excavation reports, heritage designation, and academic publication
- Re-analyzing existing excavation documentation to develop new chronological interpretations
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