The archaeological remains of post holes can usually relate to three different events, the digging of the hole, Filling of the hole around the post, and the removal of the post by human activity or by the process of decomposition.

Separating these events is crucial in determining the life span of the structure. Any artifact found in the post hole fill dates to the time of construction, any artifact found in the post mold (the soil where the post was either removed or rotted in place) dates after the destruction. If archaeologists are lucky enough to find datable artifacts in the post mold as well as the post hole, they can establish the when the structure was built and when it was torn down.