What scientific techniques did Sir Leonard Woolley use to excavate the famous Sumerian cemetery?
--Madena, 13, Sydney, Australia

Dr. dig responds:
Sir Leonard Woolley excavated at Ur from 1922 to 1934, uncovering prehistoric remains and an entire section of the city. He was also able to unravel the complicated archaeology of the city's ziggurat (stepped temple). Woolley's most important discoveries belonged to the Sumerian age and included a cemetery with almost 2,500 graves, plus the royal "Death Pits" where the dead kings and one queen of Ur were buried along with their animals and servants.

Woolley was a conscientious excavator who paid great attention to detail, but he was working before the advent of modern scientific techniques and so his techniques may appear simple and perhaps even crude to modern observers. He divided his site into manageable sections, and employed experienced local workmen to remove the bulk of the soil and debris. The workmen were supervised by archaeologists who would step in and use trowels and brushes to excavate delicate finds as they appeared. Plans and sketches were made, photographs taken, and delicate finds transported to the dig house for cleaning, conservation, photography, and drawing.