Archaeological Methods: Surveying

Figure 1: Pedestrian survey of the Don Carlos site (May 2017). 
Pictured from left: Dr. Christine E. Boston and students Victoria Spencer and Suzanne McClard Hendrickson

 

When I tell people that I am an archaeologist the most common comments I receive are concerned with what I actually find, but the reality is that what archaeologists find in the field is not as critical as finding out exactly where sites.  One should not begin an excavation without first figuring out where best to excavate.  This early step in the archaeological excavation process is what today’s blog post will focus on, which will explore the various types of archaeological surveys that exist.

An archaeological survey is the process of locating an archaeological site or potential archaeological site.  Surveys take place for many reasons, including but not limited to potential evidence of a site existing (e.g. from hearsay, historical evidence, or someone finding something of archaeological importance at a site) or as a requirement by law (particularly before public or private commercial development is to take place).  A survey does not always mean that an excavation will take place, though.  If a survey leads to no evidence of an archaeological site being present an excavation is most likely not going to happen.  This happened recently with myself and several students who were led to an area to survey based on previously discovered evidence by a farmer, but no substantive evidence discovered by our survey led to more direct evidence of an actual site existing.  Even if evidence of a site does come up through the survey one may not be able to excavate the site for one or more legitimate reasons, including lack of money, man power, safety, and permissions.     

Despite these factors surveying is an important part of the archaeological investigation.  There are actually several different types of surveys that can and do take place, and the specific type that occurs is related to the needs and/or resource availability of the archaeologists.  The most common and cost-effective type of survey is a pedestrian survey.  This entails an archaeologist or group of individuals walking across the landscape to collect and map any potential artifacts or human evidence of occupation or use (e.g. remnants of structures).  If an archaeologist is wanting to survey a large area or has some sort of environmental obstruction (e.g. forests) they might partake in an aerial survey, which means they view the landscape from above.  Typically this involved the use of an aircraft (e.g. plane, helicopter, or hot air balloon), but today it is most often completed through satellite imagery.  Several sites have been discovered through this new means, which is actually more cost effective than renting an aircraft and employing a pilot. Third type of survey is a regional survey, which involves examining several sites in any given area. This provides archaeologists with ideas of what to look for, as well as potentially provides clues of patterns within the sites themselves.

Survey is typically noninvasive.  As mentioned earlier it includes the collection of artifacts located on the ground’s surface, as well as mapping of their location (as well as mapping of any objects that cannot or should not be moved from the site) (Figure 1).  Mapping can take place through hand drawing the maps, although archaeologists have gotten more technological with their surveying and mapping techniques.  Many prefer to use Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing techniques to more accurately map a site.  Additionally, Remote Sensing technologies can be used to map what is beneath the earth’s surface without actually conducting an excavation.  This is useful when excavations cannot be completed (due to time, money, safety, or laws) or to better assist an archaeologist in determining where they should concentrate their excavation efforts.

 

While not the most glamorous part of the archaeological process it is a crucial step.  Archaeological surveys assist archaeologists in locating sites or ruling out locations that were believed to be potential archaeological sites.  They can produce some great information based on the surface collections or the remote sensing technologies used.  If you are interested in archaeology I recommend participating in a survey because they are the most common thing archaeologists will do.  To participate in such activities see if the local archaeological community has any volunteer opportunities available to you that you can join.  For students interested in working with me please feel free to reach out as I do have archaeological survey opportunities available, although they are becoming less and less frequent.  Therefore you will need to contact me asap to ensure you reserve your spot on the next surveying opportunity.  

References

Welsh, R.; Vivanco, L.; Fuentes, A.  2016.  Anthropology: Asking Questions about Human Origins, Diversity, and Culture.  Oxford University Press.