M. Járó - L. Költő szerk.: Archaeometrical research in Hungary (Budapest, 1988)

Analysis - TAKÁCS István: Collecting biological finds by water-sieving from the well of a mediaeval village

Washing the material through the complete series would have required an additional investment of labour and excessive water. Reduction of the number of sieves only meant that find material was pooled within size intervals. The crucial point was to make sure that the size of the lowest mesh utilized was small enough to ensure the recovery of the smallest objects expected (Table 1). Table 1 Mesh sizes of the series of screens used in this study Mesh sizes of the Applied mesh sizes complete series (mm) (mm) 0.063 0.071 — 0.080 — 0.090 — 0.100 — 0.125 — 0.160 — 0200 — 0250 — 0315 — 0.400 X 0300 X 0.630 — 0.800 — 1.000 X 1250 X 1.600 X 2.000 X 3.000 X 3.150 X 4.000 X 5.000 — 6300 Due to the lack of appropriate technical conditions, exact quantification — required for the mathematical evaluation of water-sieving — could not be carried out at the site. However, this preliminary report on the qualities of the material should reflect the significance of water-sieving. The series of screens was divided between two people who could thus work simultaneously. Mesh sizes were approximately equal in the two columns of the series. Consequently, both people had an equal chance to find small objects in the lower size ranges of the material. Water-sieving at the site resulted in a mass of organic material composed of many wood splinters and even small twigs, bone fragments, insect remains and seeds. These were dried slowly in the shade, and brought back to the Hungarian Agricultural Museum in plastic bags. This manner of drying was used in order to prevent warping and further spatting of finds, especially those of wood and bone. This source of secondary fragmentation is often overlooked.