Objects are wrapped or bagged with a duplicate set of information about the grid square and level, placed on the bag. While this is going on, all remaining dirt from the excavated square is put in buckets, then poured, or shoveled into screens to find any materials missed in excavations. Although this is lost in terms of detailed provenience, you still have square and level information. While excavation is going on, any specialized tests for pollen, soil chemistry, flotation, are going on. Field Processing of Materials Archaeologists actually begin their analysis of data in the field.
Many excavations begin processing of artifacts almost immediately in a field laboratory.
This may mean assigning artifact catalog numbers and abstracting certain kinds of information about the object. Far more of the time spent doing archaeology is spent in the laboratory and not in the field. Estimates range from 5-10 times, depending on the kinds of work being done and the complexity of the site. Usually the first thing done is to systematically empty bags and wash those artifacts that can stand up to it. Placed on screen drying racks to dry.