The problem is graph papert distorts with humidity or if it gets wet and 
is inferior for long term archiving. Perhaps not a problem if you work 
only in non-humid summers or indoors and CAD it quickly. However, film 
is superior and can be bought with a grid printed on. I can't imagine 
working out doors in winter without it mind you thats something I have 
to avoid these days wit my rheumatism. Along with context sheets and 
Harris matrices ( and now CAD and EDMs)  its a core tool in UK type open 
area stratigraphic archaeology.


David Babson wrote:

>Is graph paper out?  I was trained on it, and use it to this day, though
>usually for fairly simple plans and profiles, in single units.
>
>D. Babson.
> 
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>paul.courtney2
>Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 12:29 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Drawing film
>
>The use of transparent drawing film must have been a huge help in
>digging stratified sites because it allowed the multiple overlay of
>plans without the distortion and other problems  of tracing paper- a key
>aspect of  open area excavation techniques on stratified sites from hill
>forts and monasteries to urban tenements. I asked a few colleagues  this
>morning and we couldn't fix its introduction into archaeological use
>(?1960s) but remembered graph paper still being use in the early 70s on
>some sites and drawing film on others presumably with more money.
>
>
>paul
>
>  
>