Easy Documentation for all Skill Levels

By Mary Gage

Documentation

The above illustration shows the basic components of a cairn. For documentation purposes it is important to collect data on all three components. Ideally we like to collect detailed data about each structure using printed forms. These forms are available at (see http://www.stonestructures.org/html/handbook-resources.html)

For many people this level of detailed documentation is too time consuming and can be rather intimating to do. Steve DiMarzo has developed a much simpler and easier to use field documentation system which is presented below.

Process

First if you are going on to private property make sure you get permission.

Tools needed to document:

(1) Two six foot folding rulers: paint first foot orange (spray can paint), leave second foot white, alternate length of rulers.

(2) Gloves, hand brush, hand rake

(3) Digital camera

(4) GPS or phone with GPS location

(5) Notebook or paper on a clipboard to take hand written notes

Documentation

(1) Clean off debris (leaves and sticks) carefully. Do not to disturb the stones. The cairns are the artifacts. Any disturbance alters the artifact.

(2) Keep a notebook to write down cairn numbers.  Take notes on stone walls, old foundations, old wells, etc. in area. A rough field map showing the general placement of stone structures is immensely helpful. 

(3) Photographs of Cairns: Seven photos of each cairn plus extras if warranted.

* Hint on taking documentary photos. Choose a cloudy day to avoid mottling/shadows.

(a) Place ruler upright against side of cairn. Sit on ground facing ruler. This way the height is not distorted. Take photo.

(b) Place one stretched out ruler on ground beside end and second ruler next to the side of the cairn. This will give the width and length.

(c) Take Four photos: one on each side (from standing position start with width and work your way around the cairn until you have photographed all four sides)

(d) Take a top down photo when possible

(e) Features: take close up photos of features.

     What is a Feature: quartz stones, standing stone, niche, propped stone, anything that seems odd or out of place.

(f) GPS make this your last photo. Take a photo showing coordinates.

4) Photograph other stone structures in area. Ceremonial cairns are sometimes accompanied by niches, standing stones, enclosures, and serpent effigies. Include these in your documentation. Cairn sites are often integrated into old farmsteads. Take photos of the old stone remains: foundations, well, root cellar, stonewalls, etc. Use the same criteria for photographing cairns with the other structures. It helps researchers to understand the site better.

5) Looking for someplace to file your site information? You might consider sharing your documentation with the New England Early Antiquities Research Association (NEARA) library and Archives. Check www.neara.org for more information.