ABSTRACT
This chapter explores why and when excavation is undertaken and identifies the advantages and disadvantages of common excavation strat - egies. We discuss the key concept of strati graphy and techniques for recording sites and recovering archaeological materials. The final part of the chapter deals with the challenges of excavating different types of sites. Many issues arising from excavation and the legal and planning frame works surrounding it are dealt with in Chapter 12. Most of the key studies in this book include sections on excavation and a full account of a modern dig is provided by the Biddenham Loop key study in Chapter 12 ( p. 587).
