Ron,

Sorry, I was feeling a little out of sorts ... and the question 
seemed so basic that my first thought was: "Didn't this person ever 
go to a field school?"  "Should this person even be allowed to work 
on a historic site, or any site, for that matter?"

But, after some introspection, I came to the conclusion that there is 
in fact no such thing as a stupid question, only a stupid answer ... 
Guilty as charged.

Of course, the methodology used to dig a cistern is whatever is 
appropriate to the feature, the site, and what questions are being 
asked ...

Cisterns, by there very nature, are filled in AFTER their use, 
although there may be some contemporary materials included as well, 
especially in their basal units.

Here in Illinois, we am typically working with rural farmstead 
cisterns, associated with an existing or former residence.  Defined 
at the surface, these features probably average about 2-3 meters in 
diameter x 1.5 - 2.5 meters deep.  Given the relatively large size, 
and unknown content, our standard strategy is to bisect or quarter 
them (depending on the overall size), usually digging that first unit 
in arbitrary levels (10-20 cm), screening the fill as we go, and 
likely taking flot samples as we go.

After taking the first quarter or half, as the case may be, a 
decision is then made as to whether further excavation is 
appropriate.  From that point, an additional sample or the entire 
feature excavated, but in this case using natural levels, if any, 
based on the stratigraphy revealed in the first fractional unit. 
Taking flots, screening fill, etc.

We have found this to be a very useful and cost-effective method, and 
have used the same basic technique on other large features, cellar 
holes, etc.  Essentially a Phase II evaluation technique that can be 
rolled over directly into full mitigation, if appropriate.

I would note that the Illinois literature, mostly gray, is full of 
details about cistern excavations, and I would be more than willing 
to share a few citations if the interested party would like to 
contact me off list ...

Mark


-- 

Mark C. Branstner, RPA
Historic Archaeologist

Illinois Transportation
Archaeological Research Program
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
209 Nuclear Physics Lab, MC-571
23 East Stadium Drive
Champaign, IL 61820

Phone: 217.244.0892
Fax: 217.244.7458
Cell: 517.927.4556
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