Stray or loose finds, are unstratified finds or surface finds, are artefacts discovered outside of their original archaeological context. These objects have been detached from the specific soil layers (strata) or structures where they were originally deposited, usually due to natural erosion, agricultural plowing, or human disturbance.
Because they lack a clear physical connection to other artifacts or features, they provide less information than objects found in situ.
While the SCE was meticulous in their recording of the excavations with the sheer quantity of items recovered inevitably some objects fall into this category,. Some have a place associated with them and can be found in the relevant location collection while others are collected here. .
