finds

Finds are objects recovered during archaeological fieldwork or incidental discovery that are retained for study. They commonly consist of portable material culture, such as stone tools, pottery fragments, metal objects, bone or shell ornaments, as well as ecofacts such as seeds, pollen, or preserved botanical remains. Finds are recovered from stratified deposits and recorded with precise provenance, depth, and associations with other finds and features. The term distinguishes these portable objects from features, which are non-portable evidence like hearths, pits, or walls, and from the broader site as a whole.

After excavation, finds are cleaned, conserved when needed, and stored in museum collections. Field processing may include screening or flotation to recover tiny components, and each item is documented with descriptions, measurements, photographs, drawings, and accession numbers. Provenance and context are essential because they allow interpretation of chronology, function, and connections between sites.

Finds provide evidence about past behavior, technology, economy, diet, and trade. Typology and dating of artifacts enable the reconstruction of cultural relationships and chronological sequences. The spatial distribution of finds within a site helps establish activity areas and site formation processes.

Legal and ethical frameworks govern discovery, ownership, and handling of finds. In many countries, significant finds or hoards must be reported to authorities and may transfer to museums or the state. Curation emphasizes proper storage, conservation, and eventual publication, while dissemination through reports and exhibitions communicates results to the public.