Harris Matrix

[diggerhobbit]

Can anybody recommend a book/publication that actually goes through the complexities of the harris matrix in an nice easy going manner? I've got numerous text books etc but wondered if there was something out there i was missing. im still looking for the illusive 'pop up' matrix book or handy pocket guide to all things stratagraphic :D

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

[Paul Belford]

E.C. Harris 'Principles of Archaeological Stratigraphy' is best.

There are five copies currently available on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0123266513/104-0142790-8882348?v=glance&n=283155).

[Real Job]

Save yourself $142 and photocopy the entire thing in a university library! Half the books on my bookshelf are done like that, especially the out of print ones. It is a superb book.

[monitor lizard]

'Tis a great book.

You could also 'borrow' it from a colleague. I've had Curator Kid's copy for several years.....he's bound to ask for it back now this thread has reminded him. Thanks. ;)

[kevin wooldridge]

You could try pages 7-10 of the MoLAS/DUA archaeological site manual, available online at:

http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/laarc/guidelines/ASM_3edn_1994.pdf

[Tile man]

This is a useful resource
http://www.york.ac.uk/depts/arch/strat/index.htm
I would also suggest:
Barber, J W (Ed) 1993 Interpreting Stratigraphy AOC Scotland
Chadwick A. 1998 Archaeology at the edge of Chaos. Further towards reflexive excavation methodologies. Assemblage, 3. http://www.shef.ac.uk/assem/3/3chad.htm (22/02/03)
Harris E, Brown III M
Brown G (Eds) 1993 Practices of archaeological stratigraphy academic press
Roskams, S. 2001 Excavation Cambridge University Press
Steane, K(Ed.). 1992. Interpretation of stratigraphy: a review of the art, .City of Lincoln Archaeology Unit
Roskams, S. 2000 Interpreting Stratigraphy BAR International Series 910
Thorpe R. 1998. Which way is Up? Context Formation and transformation: The life and deaths of a hot bath in Beirut. Assemblage 4.http://www.shef.ac.uk/assem/4/ (22 Feb 2003)

[Curator Kid]

Any chance of getting it back then ML? You've had it for eight years. [:p]

[beamo]

Anything by Steve Roskams is worth reading on this issue.

Some of the papers in the Interpreting Stratigraphy volumes are useful - some are definitely not.

Ed Harris - I seem to remember that one of the first examples that he produces in the book is actually wrong (but cannot check this as my copy is back home) - don't let this put you off as the book is a decent introduction to the concept of the matrix.

Beamo

[Sith]

quote:Originally posted by beamo

I seem to remember that one of the first examples that he produces in the book is actually wrong (but cannot check this as my copy is back home)

You might be correct, but I thought that the wrong 'un was in Barker's "Understanding Archaeological Excavation".

D. Vader
Senior Consultant

Vader Maull & Palpatine
Archaeological Consultants

Our geophysicists have completed their scan of the area and found nothing

[diggerhobbit]

thankyou all, ill be hunting round the library for these shortly - thankyou tile man for all the references :D

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

[Tile man]

Your're welcome. I have fixed the web links now. I hope:) - I've been putting together a general 'post -ex' bibliography if anyone's interested....

[BAJR Host]

Very very interested.... in fact... if you fancy putting together a short BAJR Guide to Post Ex.... hint hint ;)

Another day another WSI…

[Tile man]

short?:) hmm it would be finds orientated as well...

I'll need to think about that, but will forward bibliography

[sniper]

cbm by any chance? ;) I'm happy to write something on washing, drying, labelling, bagging and boxing human remains if you're interested. We have a good system going at work which prevents accidental discard, and over zealous pathology removal and I would love to see it implemented everywhere, would make lots of osteologists very happy :D

++ i spend my days rummaging around in dead people ++

[drpeterwardle]

Sorry to be pedantic but the thing is actually called the Harris Winchester Matrix and I think the clearest accountn is the original one in World Archaeology.

Peter

[diggerhobbit]

i'v never heard it referred to as that but thankyou for the information

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)