The PaleoDigger Machine for Deep Archaeological Testing

The PaleoDigger is a mechanized system and method specifically designed to alleviate the high labor cost of deep archaeological testing and to improve data quality in phase I archaeological surveys. The machine can excavate a standard- size shovel test pit (STP) to depths of 7 meters. The machine has excellent vertical control and can remove soil in 5 or 10 cm levels. The self-closing auger bucket eliminates cross contamination between excavation levels. Soil is efficiently processed through a powered rotary screen and then hand sorted for artifacts on a self-supported box screen. The method alleviates the need for placing workers in unsafe deep test pits, thus avoiding the high costs of OSHA compliance. The PaleoDigger machine has been successfully employed in compliance and research grade archaeology projects across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.

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