Wheeler–Kenyon method

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 metres in width for a deeper square.

It was believed that this approach allowed more precise stratigraphic observations than earlier "horizontal exposure" techniques that relied on architectural and ceramic analysis.

[3] Pitt Rivers was significant for his time in his use of total recording, shifting the focus away from finding ‘treasure’ and towards recording every artefact and making detailed plans and sections of the site [4] However, Bowden [5] points out that Pitt-River’s excavation methods left ‘much to be desired’, with hand-shovelling techniques leaving many small artefacts such as flints and coins left undiscovered in spoil heaps.

There were two key sites Mortimer and Tessa Wheeler worked on in developing their ‘box-grid’ method; Lydney Park in Gloucester and Verulamium in Hertfordshire.

[6] The Lyndney Park Site was a Romano-British Temple Complex and Iron Mine, which had originally been excavated by Charles Bathurst in 1805, but had since become overgrown once again.

[17] The Wheeler–Kenyon method has faced significant criticism over time, forming a rival school of thought to the advocates of open area excavation.

Fifth, to create routes to remove soil without crossing excavated surfaces, and lastly sufficient access to natural light.

[23] The principal goal of the method is to allow for the constant referral to the vertical profile of the site, a concept that was present by Pitt-River’s work at Cranbourne Chase, only on a much larger scale.

In terms of laying out squares, Wheeler [27] recommends the use of string and pegs, under careful supervision to ensure the highest level of precision possible.

[39] Therefore, the following year when the South Portal was excavated, the recently created box-grid method was used, which proved to be far more straightforward to record with less risk of error.

[42] Pottery and coins were used to correlate the site’s stratigraphy to specific eras, made possible by the distinct typological phases covered by the portals.