Field Methods Slide Show

Field Methods Slide Show Site-Level Survey -while wide ranging ground survey and aerial survey give a wider view of the region, other survey techniques can be applied to specific sites in order to gain a better understanding of what is buried without having to excavate Ground Penetrating Radar -Can be used to detect anomalies in the ground, such as walls, tombs, ditches, etc. -Radio waves sent into the ground, and they reflect off of the features -The time the waves take to return to the unit are measured in the billionths of a second, producing data which can then produce a 3D model of what is below ground level -cannot be used in all soils! Electrical Resistivity -Two electrodes are placed in the ground -electric current is run between them -strength of the current is measured -weaker current=greater resistance -must be used in soil with some amount of water Other forms of site-level survey -magnetic survey -geochemical analysis Sub-Surface Survey Pros and Cons *Pros -can achieve a more complete picture of an entire site more quickly than through excavation -non-destructive -saves excavation *Cons -Cannot date discoveries -Not always effective -Not always man made features Determining where to excavate -through your own survey or one done by someone else, find a site which seems to fit your research question -once picked, either used sub-surface techniques to detect where evidence of human activity should be, or perform test excavations to determine what areas might be more productive