What method do vertical excavations primarily utilize in archaeology?

Vertical excavations in archaeology focus on understanding the stratification of a site's layers, which reveals how different periods of habitation and activity occurred over time. This method allows archaeologists to study the sequence of human occupation and the chronologies of artifacts found within each layer. By employing test pits or trenches, researchers can meticulously uncover the various levels of soil, identifying and documenting changes in material culture, construction techniques, and other evidence that informs about past human behavior and environmental conditions.

The focus on stratification helps to establish a clearer historical context for the artifacts and features discovered, as the positioning of these items in their respective layers provides critical insights into the timing and nature of human activities. This method contrasts sharply with techniques like surface collection, which does not offer the same depth of historical data, or geophysical surveys, which provide information about what lies below the surface without excavating. Mapping historical crop patterns is also unrelated to the specific method of excavation, as it pertains to agricultural history rather than archaeological stratification.