Aufschlüsse

Aufschlüsse is a German term used in geology and archaeology to refer to exposed surfaces of rock, soil, or sediments that allow direct observation and study. The word can denote natural exposures as well as human-made faces created during construction, quarrying, or testing. In English-language geology, the term is often conveyed as outcrop or exposure, while in archaeology it can refer to trenches, test pits, or other openings that reveal stratified deposits.

In geology, Aufschlüsse provide primary data for lithology, stratigraphy, and structural analysis. Natural outcrops such as cliff faces, hillside cuts, river banks, and quarry fronts expose bedrock units, fossil content, mineral composition, bedding and grading, and structural features like faults and joints. Describing multiple Aufschlüsse enables correlation of units across a region, informs mapping, and aids resource assessment. Weathering, slope processes, and anthropogenic modification can influence what is visible at a given exposure.

In archaeology, Aufschlüsse denote the opening or exposure of archaeological deposits, often through trenches, test pits, or controlled cuts. They reveal the vertical sequence of human occupations, artifact distributions, and inclusions such as charcoal, bones, or dated materials. An Aufschluss may precede a full excavation and helps determine the extent, depth, and preservation of deposits, as well as sampling strategies.

Documentation and safety are central to working with Aufschlüsse. Field notes, photographs, sketches, and measured stratigraphic sections are typically recorded, along with precise location data. Interpretations rely on integrating multiple exposures to reconstruct geological history or archaeological sequence, while respecting site integrity and safety considerations. Etymologically, Aufschluss derives from auf-schließen, meaning to disclose or expose.