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Comparative Archaeology Database, University of Pittsburgh
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El Dornajo Community Dataset |
The data files COMPLETEVESSELS.TXT and COMPLETEVESSELS.XLS provide detailed information about all complete ceramic vessels unearth during excavations at El Dornajo. COMPLETEVESSELS.TXT is a comma delimited ASCII text file. COMPLETEVESSELS.XLS contains the same data in the form of an Excel spreadsheet. Each line in the comma delimited file represents one vessel. There are 23 lines, each with 18 variables separated by commas. The variables are, in the following order:
| 1 | Unit: A 1 x 1 m test pit or a 2 m diameter surface collection; see maps on pages 41 and 42 of the dissertation. |
| 2 | Stratum: A natural or cultural layer distinguishable from others by its soil characteristics. A code of “surface" identifies a surface collection. |
| 3 | Level: Arbitrary levels within stata of 10 cm (or less when a stratum change was encountered). A code of "na" indicates either that the unit was a surface collection or that the strata in the unit were not excavated in levels. |
| 4 | A description and/or number of any feature that is contained in or associated with this unit. A code of "na" means no feature was associated with the unit. |
| 5 | The vessel number identifying the specific vessel on maps and in photos. |
| 6 | Texture: Fine temper is barely visible without a hand lens. Course temper is larger than .2 mm but smaller than 2 mm. Very course temper is larger than 2mm. A code of “na” means that texture was not recorded. |
| 7 | Firing code: 1. oxidized, no organics 2. oxidized, organics possible 3-4. oxidized, organics originally present 5-6. reduced, no organics 7. reduced, organics originally present 8. reduced, organics possible 9-10. reduced, cooled rapidly in air 11. reduced, cooled rapidly in air, reduced again, then cooled again |
| 8 | The thickness (mm) of each sherd measured at median thickness point based on visual assessment. |
| 9 | Vessel form. Jars are defined as having a restricted orifice and a neck more than 3 cm in height. Ollas are defined as having a restricted orifice and a neck of less than 3 cm in height. Bowls are defined as having an unrestricted orifice and a curved bottom. Plates are defined as having an unrestricted orifice, shallow depth, and a flat bottom. Strainers are sherds with more than 1 small hole punched in them. A code of “na” means that vessel form could not be determined. |
| 10 | The weight in grams of the complete vessel. |
| 11 | Rim variety: folded, flaired, piecrust, straight, and inflected (see figure 8.1 in the dissertation for an illustration of these varieties). A code of “na” means that the sherd was not a rim so this variable is not applicable. |
| 12 | Rim Diameter (cm). A code of “na” means that rim diameter was not recorded because the sherd was not a rim. |
| 13 | Neck height (mm). A code of “na” means that neck height was not recorded because the sherd was not a neck fragment. |
| 14 | Vessel Height: total height of the complete vessel |
| 15 | Presence or absence of a slip on the sherd. When a slip is present the color is identified. A code of “na” means that no slip was observed. |
| 16 | The location of slip, interior, exterior or both sides of the sherd. A code of “na” means that no slip was observed. |
| 17 | Primary Decoration: This variable identifies the most predominant decoration technique on the sherd which might be painted, incised, appliquéd, stamped, burnished, or mold-made designs. A code of “no” means that no decoration was identified on the sherd. A code of “na” means that decoration was not recorded which is only true for strainers. |
| 18 | Comments |
The first line of the ASCII text file, for example, is:
16,B,1,Burial 2,vessel 1,course,2,4,jar,1327,straight,10,55,240,no,na,applique/insicion,230mm wide- pedestal 11cm diameter 25mm high
This indicates that the vessel belongs to Unit 16, Stratum B, level 1. It belongs to the Burial 2 feature. Its vessel number is 1. It has coarse texture, with a firing code of 2 (oxidized, organics possible), and a thickness of 4 mm. It is a jar with a weight of 1327 grams. The rim is straight and its diameter is 10 cm with a neck height of 55 mm, and a total vessel height of 240 mm. It has no slip and hence no sides are reported as slipped. The decoration type is applique/insicion. Additional comments indicate "230mm wide- pedestal 11cm diameter 25mm high."
The last, or 23rd line of the ASCII text file is:
Tola Unit 2,H,1,na,vessel b,course,4,5,jar,172,na,12,45,,no,na,no,only top- broken
This indicates that the vessel belongs to Unit 2, Stratum H, level 1. It does not belong to any specific feature. Its vessel number is b. It has coarse texture, with a firing code of 4 (oxidized, organics originally present), and a thickness of 5 mm. It is a jar with a weight of 172 grams. No rim type is reported but its diameter is 12 cm with a neck height of 45 mm. No total vessel height is reported. It has no slip and hence no sides are reported as slipped. No decoration type is reported. Additional comments indicate "only top- broken."
Click here to download the file COMPLETEVESSELS.TXT (3 KB) or the file COMPLETEVESSELS.XLS (24 KB).