Archaeological find spot symbol

A marked point locating an object.

Also known as: Find spot plan symbol, Registered find marking

Historical & archaeologicalScientificStandard profile

Meanings

The archaeological plan symbol recording where an individual object was found.

Officially standardisedVerified fact
Records where an individual object was found on an archaeological plan.
Contexts: Technical drawing, Maps
Officially standardisedVerified fact
Carries a number keying it to a separate record, so the plan states position and the archive states everything else.
Contexts: Technical drawing, Maps

A small cross or dot on the plan, numbered to key it to the finds record.

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Standard and guidance for archaeological field evaluation and excavation
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists · retrieved 2026-08-25
The professional standard for archaeological field recording in the United Kingdom, cited for recording conventions and the structure of a site archive. Practice differs between countries and between units, and records say where a convention is not universal.

Last reviewed 2026-08-25

Meanings

The archaeological plan symbol recording where an individual object was found.

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Records where an individual object was found on an archaeological plan.

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Carries a number keying it to a separate record, so the plan states position and the archive states everything else.

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Sources

Standard and guidance for archaeological field evaluation and excavation
Chartered Institute for Archaeologists · retrieved 2026-08-25
The professional standard for archaeological field recording in the United Kingdom, cited for recording conventions and the structure of a site archive. Practice differs between countries and between units, and records say where a convention is not universal.

Last reviewed 2026-08-25