Definition: In archaeology, the term Site Formation Processesâ€"or more simply formation processesâ€"refers to the events that created and affected an archaeological site after its creation.
Two classes of formation processes are recognized: culturally created (C-transforms) and naturally created (N-transforms). C-transforms that might have affected an assemblage at an archaeological site include purposeful and accidental discard of objects or burning and demolition of structures. N-transforms could include earthquakes or rodent burrowing or vegetation growth or normal decay.
Site Formation Processes is a core concept in archaeology, developed by Michael Brian Schiffer in the 1970s, and although the pendulum between scientific and cultural archaeology may swing away from process, SFP remains an immensely useful point of discussion.
Sources
Binford, Lewis R. 1981 Behavioral archaeology and the "Pompeii Premise". Journal of Anthropological Research 37(3):195-208.
Binford, Lewis R. 1979 Organization and formation processes: Looking at curated technologies. Journal of Anthropological Research 35(3):255-273.
Binford, Lewis R. 1980 Willow smoke and dog's tails: Hunter gatherer settlement systems and archaeological site formation. American Antiquity 45(1):4-20.
Schiffer, Michael B. 1987 Formation Processes of the Archaeological Record]Formation Processes of the Archaeological Record. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.
Schiffer, Michael B. 1985 Is there a "Pompeii premise" in archaeology? Journal of Anthropological Research 41:18-41.
Schiffer, Michael B. 1983 Toward the identification of formation processes. American Antiquity 48:675-706.
Villa, Paola 1982 Conjoinable pieces and site formation processes. American Antiquity 47:276-310.
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