Probably it has been the largest archaeological project in Sweden since the seventeenth century ship Vasa was saved from the waters outside Stockholm. The excavation was made possible by a large donation from Tetra Pak's owner Gad Rausing. Between 1990 and 1995 a large portion of the harbour area and the Black Earth was excavated. The results were astounding, not only did the archaeologists find thousands of artifacts, bones and other items of interest but they could also decide that Birka was a planned town. Especially interesting was when they unearthed a blacksmith's workshop.
Archaeologists still dig with spades, their hands and sometimes even with toothbrushes.
This has still not changed. Fortunately they now have access to computers and this reduces the workload significantly. It is easier to catalogue artifacts, put them together and categorize them. Even so the results from 1990-1995 will take years to finish.