Final answer:
Following excavation, archaeological findings are cataloged and analyzed, then decisions are made on restoration or conservation, all to enhance historical understanding and preserve information for future research.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the excavation stage in archaeological research, the focus shifts to post-excavation analysis and preservation of findings. Artifacts are first carefully cataloged and labeled with accession numbers for proper documentation. These may include cultural artifacts, ecofacts like seeds or bone, and any features of the site, documented with a full set of field notes. Following this, artifacts undergo analysis, which can include chronometric dating methods such as dendrochronology to ascertain ages and cross-cutting relationships to understand the order of layers and features. Specialists like zooarchaeologists and archaeobotanists play a crucial role in the examination of biological remains and contribute to our understanding of past human interaction with the environment.
Once analysis is complete, discussions around restoration versus conservation take place. Decisions on whether to restore a site or conserve it in its found state on various factors, including the relevancy and significance of different periods in the site's history, the evolving interpretations of the site, and modern principles that require any treatment to be reversible. Ethical considerations may also arise, especially in situations where cultural sensitivities and scientific research interests conflict. Regardless of the path chosen, the ultimate goal is to enhance our understanding of historical contexts and preserve the archaeological record for future study.