Wheeler–Kenyon method

The Wheeler–Kenyon method is a method of archaeological excavation. The technique draws its origins from the work of Mortimer Wheeler and Tessa Wheeler at Verulamium (1930–35), and was later refined by Kathleen Kenyon during her excavations at Jericho (1952–58). The Wheeler–Kenyon system involves digging within a series of squares that can vary in size set within a larger grid. This leaves a freestanding wall of earth—known as a "balk" that can range from 50 cm for temporary grids, and measure up to 2 m. in width for a deeper square. The Normal width of a permanent balk is 1 m.^[1]—on each side of a unit. These vertical slices of earth allow archaeologists to compare the exact provenance of a found object or feature to adjacent layers of earth ("strata"). During Kenyon's excavations at Jericho, this technique helped discern the long and complicated occupational history of the site. It was believed that this approach allowed more precise stratigraphic observations than earlier "horizontal exposure" techniques which relied on architectural and ceramic analysis.

an archaeological excavation at moza. General view of an area with a semi oblique perspective showing mostly square excavation trenches arranged in a checkerboard pattern in a mediterranean landscape. — Excavation at Moza, Israel

References

^ Dever, Lance, et al. A Manual of Field Excavation. New York: Jewish Institute of Religion, 1982. Print. pp.50-51

Sources

Joseph A. Callaway, "Dame Kathleen Kenyon 1906-1978," The Biblical Archaeologist, Vol. 42, No. 2. (Spring, 1979), pp. 122–125.
jstor.org
online.vkrp.org

[1] Dever, Lance, et al. A Manual of Field Excavation. New York: Jewish Institute of Religion, 1982. Print. pp.50-51

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