Feature (archaeology)

In archaeological excavation, a feature is a collection of one or more contexts representing some human non-portable activity, such as a hearth or wall.^[1] Features serve as an indication that the area in which they are found has been interfered with in the past, usually by humans.^[2]

Features are distinguished from artifacts in that they cannot be separated from their location without changing their form. Artifacts are portable, while features are non-portable.^[3] Artifacts and features can both be made from any available material, with the primary distinction being portability.^[1]

Features and artifacts differ from ecofacts. Ecofacts are natural remains, such as plants and animals.^[4]

^ ^a ^b Emery, Katy Meyers (2011-10-04). "Archaeology 101: Artifact versus Feature". MSU Campus Archaeology Program. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
^ "Archaeological Process". www.alexandriava.gov. Archived from the original on 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
^ Jones, James (November 1993). "ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2020-07-21. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ "What is Archaeology?". Society for American Archaeology. Retrieved 2020-07-21.

[arti_vs_feat-1] Emery, Katy Meyers (2011-10-04). "Archaeology 101: Artifact versus Feature". MSU Campus Archaeology Program. Retrieved 2020-07-21.

[process-2] "Archaeological Process". www.alexandriava.gov. Archived from the original on 2021-03-03. Retrieved 2020-07-21.

[3] Jones, James (November 1993). "ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2020-07-21. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

[4] "What is Archaeology?". Society for American Archaeology. Retrieved 2020-07-21.

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