Best Archaeology Tools for Beginners

Trowel
Image shows a flat trowel with a wooden handle sitting in the dirt.
Image shows a flat trowel with a wooden handle sitting in the dirt.
Trowel

A necessary tool for careful excavation, allowing archaeologists to delicately uncover artifacts without causing damage[2][8].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
The top of a painbruch can be sen on the right hand side of the image. The background is grey.
Brush
Brush

Used for cleaning artifacts and revealing fine details during excavation, with soft bristles being ideal for the task[5][8].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Shovel
Shovel
Shovel

Essential for digging down to the cultural layer and moving soil around the excavation site[5][9].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Finds Bags 4 x 5.5"/102x140mm (per 100)
Finds Bags 4 x 5.5"/102x140mm (per 100)
Finds Bags

Important for safely storing and transporting artifacts, typically labeled for future reference[2][5][8].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Measuring Tape
Measuring Tape

Critical for accurately measuring and recording the location and dimensions of artifacts and excavation units[2][5][8].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Notebook
Notebook
Notebook

Used for recording important observations, measurements, and excavation data[8][9].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
A well organised pencil case is essential
Pencil

Recommended for making initial notes and sketches, particularly because errors can be erased easily[5][9].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Sharpie
Sharpie
Sharpie

Useful for marking finds bags and other materials due to its permanent ink[5][6].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Plastic Spoon
Plastic Spoon
Plastic Spoon

A surprisingly useful tool for delicate excavation work, less likely to damage fragile artifacts than metal tools[5].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Small Sieve
Small Sieve
Small Sieve

Helps ensure that no small artifacts or materials are missed, useful for processing excavated soil[5].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Camera
Camera
Camera

Essential for documenting the site and artifacts, providing visual records for analysis[5][9].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Waterproof Clipboard
Waterproof Clipboard
Waterproof Clipboard

Protects notes in wet conditions, allowing for field documentation even in rain[6].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
A red line lev.
Line Level

Helps ensure that excavation is level and straight, particularly when setting up grids[8][9].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
A red line lev.
String

Used for marking grids and excavation boundaries, facilitating the organization of the dig site[2][8][9].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Dumpy Level
Dumpy Level
Dumpy Level

An important tool for surveying, allowing archaeologists to record heights of features and create accurate site plans[2].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Heavy Digging Tools
Heavy Digging Tools
Heavy Digging Tools

Includes items like mattocks and spades, essential for physical excavation work, especially in large or deep sites[2].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Image of a yellow and grey machine set up on the grass. The machine is a total station and a concrete sculpture can be seen in the background.
Total Station

A precision instrument for measuring and documenting archaeological features with high accuracy[5][6].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
pXRF Analyzer
pXRF Analyzer
pXRF Analyzer

A modern tool for analyzing soil and material composition on-site, useful in determining the presence of artifacts without excavation[3].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Ground Penetrating Radar
Ground Penetrating Radar

A non-invasive method for exploring subsurface features without disturbing the ground[3][4].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Digital Camera with Photo Scale
Digital Camera with Photo Scale
Digital Camera with Photo Scale

Vital for capturing artifact context and ensuring accurate size representation in documentation[5][9].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Image of a mechanical compass with the arrow point just slightly east of north.
Compass

A simple yet effective tool for navigation and mapping when conducting surveys[5][9].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
GPS Unit
GPS Unit
GPS Unit

Essential for recording precise locations of finds and excavation units[5][9].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
A red first aid kit. The kit is unzipped and you can see that it contains a variety of medical items and is well organized.
First Aid Kit

Important for ensuring safety on-site, addressing minor injuries that may occur during fieldwork[6].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Rubber-Palmed Work Gloves
Rubber-Palmed Work Gloves
Rubber-Palmed Work Gloves

Protect hands during excavation and handling of artifacts in various environmental conditions[6][8].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
3D Scanner
3D Scanner

Useful for documenting artifacts and site layouts in detail, allowing for advanced analysis and study[4].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Drones
Drones
Drones

Increasingly used for aerial surveys and capturing images of large excavation sites from above[3].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Environmental Containers
Environmental Containers
Environmental Containers

Necessary for collecting and storing soil samples for later analysis[2].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Safety Gear
Safety Gear
Safety Gear

Hard hats and high-visibility clothing for ensuring safety on construction sites and in the field[2][5].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Water and Food Supplies
Water and Food Supplies
Water and Food Supplies

Essential for staying hydrated and energized during long excavation sessions in the field[5][6].

 Find Product
search_products_amazon  Search Amazon
Follow Up Recommendations

Related Content From The Pandipedia