Friday, March 18, 2022

From the Latin words in, meaning "in, on," and situs, meaning "location, place, situation," the phrase in situ is borrowed directly into English and means "on site" or "in place." The term can be used in a legal context, referring to something like real property that is to be left in situ, or "left in place" after the case as it was before the case. Archaeologists know the phrase in situ as referring to an object that is discovered "in place," that has yet to be removed, displaced, or disturbed after its initial discovery. In situ discoveries, confirmed by corroborating photograph documentation, are considered to be some of the best evidence for the authentication of archaeological objects, as it is nearly impossible to bury a forged object beneath layers of undisturbed earth.