Final answer:
Archaeologists map excavations by recording the exact locations of artifacts, ecofacts, and other features using a grid system and GPS coordinates, as well as document detailed descriptions, stratigraphic information, and the orientation of finds.
Step-by-step explanation:
When mapping excavations, archaeologists should document a range of cultural and natural objects and features. This includes the precise location of artifacts using GPS coordinates, elevation, detailed descriptions (e.g., proximity to a stream), stratigraphic information, formation's age, and the orientation of fossils relative to geological layering. By using a grid system, each discovery's context is retained, ensuring artifacts remain in situ for accurate historical analysis. Proper documentation of collected ecofacts like seeds or bones provides crucial data for specialists such as zooarchaeologists or archaeobotanists. Additionally, features such as trails, roads, and habitation sites are included in field notes and can be layered onto maps to showcase how areas have evolved over time.