How are excavation sites found?

How are excavation sites found?

There are many ways to find sites, one example can be through surveys. Surveys involve walking around analyzing the land looking for artifacts. Archaeologist can also sample randomly within a given area of land as another form of conducting surveys.

Why do archaeologists excavate?

In archaeology, excavation is the exposure, processing and recording of archaeological remains. During excavation, archaeologists often use stratigraphic excavation to remove phases of the site one layer at a time. This keeps the timeline of the material remains consistent with one another.

How do archaeologists identify the places with artefacts in it?

Archaeologists also look at buildings, ruins, unusual mounds or sunken spots in the land. Sometimes, archaeologists can tell where old roads or walls once stood by looking at aerial photographs. Other times they can get clues from old books, documents and maps.

What is an excavation site?

An excavation site or “dig” is the area being studied. These locations range from one to several areas at a time during a project and can be conducted over a few weeks to several years. During excavation, archaeologists often use stratigraphic excavation to remove phases of the site one layer at a time.

What is the excavation process?

Excavation is the process of moving things like earth, rock, or other materials with tools, equipment, or explosives. It includes earthwork, trenching, wall shafts, tunneling, and underground. Several different processes are used in excavation, including trenching, digging, dredging, and site development.

What kind of sites do archaeologists excavate?

There are, of course, many different types of archaeological sites, and there is no one set of precepts and rules that will apply to excavation as a whole. Some sites, such as temples, forts, roads, villages, ancient cities, palaces, and industrial remains, are easily visible on the surface of the ground.

What are the main considerations when choosing and to excavate?

Factors That Affect the Choice of Excavation Methods

• The Type of Subsoil. Some form of geotechnical survey of the site is usually conducted prior to any excavation work.
• Ground Water Conditions.
• The Surrounding Conditions.
• Project Size.

What does an archaeologist do when conducting an archaeological survey?

First they will check if there were any previous surveys in the area and, if so, what the results were. If there are no previously recorded sites, the archaeologist will conduct an archaeological survey. If there are sites, the archaeologist will want to know how many, their locations, and how the sites relate to each other.

How do archaeologists find ancient sites without digging?

There are non-invasive techniques archaeologists can use to find sites without digging. Examples of geophysical surveys that do not disturb the soil include magnetometry, resistivity, and ground-penetrating radar.

How do archaeologists record the location of artifacts?

Archaeologists must record the exact location of all artifacts and features on a site. Before removing any soil or artifacts from a site, they create a site grid. They establish a datum point, or fixed reference point for all measurements. Then they superimpose a rectangular grid over the whole site.

What tools do archaeologists use to explore the past?

At the most basic level, there is surveying and investigation of local stories, documents, maps and artifacts, while at the opposite extreme, archaeologists often use GPR, metal detectors and magnetometry. All of these tools and techniques are used in conjunction within the field to determine the best possible sites to investigate.