In 2006, University of Bristol archaeologists launched an innovative
project: "excavating" a 1991 Ford transit van, used by archaeologists
and others. This is an exercise in methodology: to see what can be
learnt about a commonplace but complex object through modern
archaeological analysis. It explores archaeology's potential
contribution to understanding society's use of such objects and
examines the very nature of contemporary archaeology. See in this
video how, amid science and method, a rusting transit van can conjure
up both enchantment and melancholy.
I'm actually rather dubious that these exercies really contribute much of anything to archaeological research, but at least they're interesting.