Final answer:
Successive layers of soil that develop around artifacts and features are known as stratigraphic layers or strata. These layers inform archaeologists about the relative ages of artifacts for dating and understanding the sequence of human activity through the principle of stratigraphic superposition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Successive layers of soil that develop around artifacts and features are referred to as stratigraphic layers or strata. These layers are the basis for a relative dating method known as stratigraphic superposition, which assumes that each subsequent layer is more recent than the one below it. Archaeologists utilize this method to determine the relative ages of artifacts found within or between these layers, thereby understanding the chronological sequence of human activities and geological events. The systematic study of these strata is essential in archaeological excavation, as it helps identify the order and relative positions of materials deposited over time.
As soils form over time, horizons develop because of various processes occurring in the soil, influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors. These soil layers can vary in thickness and number, typically ranging from immature soils with O, A, and C horizons to mature soils that may display all these horizons and potentially additional layers. Understanding the formation and characteristics of these layers is fundamental in deducing the sequence of events that occurred at an archaeological site.
The excavation process involves a meticulous and systematic approach, often sectioning the site into a grid system to map and catalog findings precisely. This allows for the preservation of the original context of artifacts and ecofacts, aiding in the analytical process to decode the historical relationships between humans, their environment, and various factors throughout time.