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Field notebook habit changed after a dig lead called me out
On the Mesa Verde survey last June, the lead archaeologist said my notes were 'pretty but useless' because I only recorded what I found, not what I didn't. Now I jot down every empty test pit and negative result, and it's already saved us from re-digging two areas. Anyone else switch to recording negatives after a similar kick in the pants?
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hugo23814d ago
Funny, I went the OPPOSITE direction after a similar scolding. My old lead used to say if you record every hole with nothing in it, you end up with pages of garbage nobody will ever read again. The NEGATIVE data is just noise. You already know the ground is empty there because you dug it. Writing it down doesn't change that fact. Now I only note the positives and the weird stuff, like stained soil or odd stratigraphy. Saves me time, keeps my notes clean, and honestly, nobody has ever come back to me asking about a pit I skipped.
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