Delicate artifacts or small clusters of specimens whose proper excavation in situ would take a great deal of time can be dealt with by a method much used in paleontology but seldom in archaeological work. The material is taken out in a block of the original dirt in which the specimens are imbedded. This block is then shipped to the laboratory where it can be explored at leisure with better facilities for preservation and cleaning of artifacts than usually obtain in the field.

The object or group of objects to be removed in this way should be carefully exposed by loosening and brushing away the earth until the whole surface is visible. After the specimens are photographed, the surrounding earth is then dug away, leaving generous margins, until the undisturbed artifacts rest on a sort of pedestal. This pedestal of earth should be undercut several inches all around.