08 - Field Methods

Archaeological Field Methods

1. Overview of Field Methods

  • Reconnaissance:

    • Focus: Identifying locations of sites.

    • Nature: Typically non-systematic.

    • Scales: Macro-Regional, Regional.

  • Survey:

    • Focus: Understanding distribution patterns of artifacts.

    • Nature: Typically systematic.

    • Scales: Regional, Site, Area.

  • Excavation:

    • Focus: Analyzing artifacts to comprehend their nature and changes over time.

    • Features various sampling methods.

    • Scale: Localized.

    • Key Note: Appropriate methods depend on specific research questions.

2. Reconnaissance Methods

2.1 Aerial Reconnaissance

  • Methods include aerial photos and satellite imagery.

    • Example: Remains of Roman fort walls visible via satellite.

2.2 Ground Reconnaissance

  • Sources of information include historical documents and local informants.

3. Satellite Imagery and Tools

  • Google Earth:

    • Features tools for navigation, layer selection, and viewing geographic data.

    • Example Usage: Identify historical and archaeological sites.

4. Active Remote Sensing

  • Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS):

    • Utilizes LiDAR for high-density laser scanning.

    • Applications in reconnaissance and survey work.

5. Settlement Patterns

  • Definition: Spatial arrangements of human activities influenced by various factors:

    • Environmental constraints.

    • Social and political influences.

  • Study Goal: Determine where populations settled and patterns of land use over time.

6. Sampling Methods in Excavation

  • Units:

    • Population: Entire area under study.

    • Sample: Representational portion of the population.

  • Purpose: To gain insights about the larger population by analyzing a smaller subset.

7. Strategies for Sampling

  • Types of Sampling:

    • Random: Equal selection chance across the population.

    • Interval/Systematic: Regular intervals for sampling.

    • Stratified Random: Sampling across different strata.

    • Judgmental: Using prior knowledge for selective sampling.

    • Opportunistic: Resulting from unforeseen opportunities during fieldwork.

8. Research Phases and Scales

  • Macro-Regional: Scout wide areas (reconnaissance methods).

  • Regional: More focused on surveys and exploratory excavations.

  • Site-Specific: Examining specific settlement patterns through test excavations and detailed surveys.

9. Career Opportunities and CRM

  • Academic Sector: 10% employment, research-focused roles in universities and museums.

  • Cultural Resource Management (CRM): 90% employment, ensuring preservation and assessment of archaeological and historical sites.

10. CRM Legislation

  • Key Acts:

    • Antiquities Act (1906): Protects archaeological sites on public lands.

    • National Historic Preservation Act (1966): Mandates consideration of historic properties in federal projects (Section 106 Process).

    • NAGPRA (1990): Addresses the treatment of Native American remains and artifacts.

11. Case Studies and Practical Applications

  • Illustrates the practical application of archaeological methods in site management, preservation, and recovery (e.g., Picotte Site case study).

12. Conclusion

  • Effective archaeological research blends reconnaissance, surveys, and excavation, using varied scales and methods tailored to specific questions and contexts.