Archaeological excavation produces sites, assemblages, data, and publications. It also produces backdirt—the earth removed during the process of excavation. This soil is often sifted, often used to refill trenches once a season has concluded in order to protect the archaeological remains below. Despite its ubiquity on archaeological sites, however, backdirt has rarely appeared in discussions of fieldwork practice and knowledge production.

There are some exceptions, of course. Some have written about discoveries made by sifting backdirt, especially with regard to taphonomy. Others have addressed its role in conservation of archaeological sites. Most such discussions have been pragmatic in nature, and backdirt features as the backdrop rather than the central object of study.

For this special issue of the Journal of Field Archaeology, we solicit papers that center on backdirt, and its many meanings to archaeologists and the communities imbricated in archaeological work. We invite responses to questions including, but not limited to:

-What does backdirt hide? What does backdirt reveal?
-What possibilities does backdirt enable? What does backfill prevent or foreclose?
-How does backdirt modify the landscapes of archaeological sites?
-What does it mean to think of backdirt beyond as a by-product of excavation? How can we think of backdirt as data, as method, as result, as engagement?

Authors interested in contributing to this special issue may submit paper abstracts of 500-1000 words using this form by July 15, 2022. Those selected for the issue will be notified in early fall 2022 and full papers will be due by February 1, 2023. For more information about this issue, or to discuss a potential contribution, please contact Allison Mickel by email at ajm717@lehigh.edu.