Hume's Excavation In The 17th Century

Archaeology is a multifaceted discipline and process that requires assiduous planning and dedication. Hume’s excavation at Martin’s hundred relied heavily on multiple disciplines in conjunction with a plethora of different archaeological methods and tools to illuminate the lives of the Europeans at Martin’s hundred, and their relationship with the Native Americans. Moreover, the field of archaeology can be spontaneous, and many sites can be discovered by accident as was the case with Martins Hundred. Despite the spontaneity, however, excavation sites require discipline and logical reasoning to formulate research objectives and questions, even, if these queries are formulated relatively quickly as the site is unearthed. Furthermore, Hume utilized
Moreover, Hume states “I therefore decided that the only practical course was to take a chance, and bring in a mechanical grader to scrape away the plow zone in strips wide enough for us to examine the clay subsoil for signs of colonial disturbance.” (Hume, 10) By, utilizing this method and taking a gamble Hume had uncovered several grave sites and trash pits, and more importantly 17th century artifacts were found. Furthermore, Hume stated that “But again the artifacts dated from the seventeenth, and not the eighteenth, century, among them a small brass mathematical counter made by Hanns Krauwinckel of Nuremberg, between 1580 and 1610.” (Hume, 17)
This accidental discovery was the first step in identifying this site as the Martin’s Hundred Plantation. The next process was to ask several research questions that would lead to more questions, and this process allowed for Hume to be as objective as possible in addition to venturing into unfamiliar territory of research. Hume stated “The question “When? Was but one of many: Why were there so many sites in so small an area? Who had lived there and why? What happened to cause them to be abandoned?” (Hume,