Why use a front end loader at an archaeological dig?

Dr. David Graves reports on the use of a tractor with a front end loader at Tall el Hammam in Jordan. He explains how the tractor is used at the beginning of excavations of a monumental Roman building. See the brief report with a larger photo here. Note especially his reference to “contaminated piles of dirt” and “night diggers.”

Use of a tractor with front end loader at Tall el-Hammam. Photo by David Graves.

We recently reported on the Tall el-Hammam excavation here.