3.4 Groups

Introduction

A 'Group', comprising usually several sub-groups, forms the unit on the next higher level of interpretation. Each sub-group belongs to only one group. A group could contain any broadly contemporary definition according to its heading (e.g. from 'primary and secondary fills of a pit' to 'construction & occupation of an open area' or 'construction and use of a building'. As the database structure forces to stick to a rigid set-up, the content of a Group is restricted to only one type of land use.

Combining sub-groups to groups serves a dual purpose:

• While adding on a stratigraphically sound basis sub-groups to groups of one building, one open area, or one waterfront, etc, a more summarising level of interpretation is reached.
• The finds specialist receives thus the opportunity to consider the spot dates and special finds of contexts as defined by sequence and location

Following the stratigraphic sequence, you can now place sub-groups of the same or closely related, broadly contemporary events, such as several rooms of one building and their use in the same group. Alterations to the building would be part of another, as would be open areas, roads, waterfronts etc. If destruction debris is widely spread and seals several earlier groups it can form a separate group as part of a destruction horizon; if only small and localised it could be part of the previous group. Groups may also be used as 'dustbins' combining 'loose end' sub-groups - as long as the stratigraphic sequence allows it.

Whether grouping reaches across trenches or remains within one trench will depend on practical reasons, such as whether excavation and post-excavation work continues seasonally, or whether several archaeologists work on different areas of the same project. Small excavations may combine the group and the land use as one level of interpretation.

• 3.4.1 Forming groups
• 3.4.2 Dating
• 3.4.3 Group plans
• 3.4.4 Group sequence diagram
• 3.4.5 Data update