2.1: Survey
- Page ID
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Part II: Field and Analytical Methods
2.1 Survey and the Archaeological Process
Overview
Archaeology begins long before excavation. Before archaeologists dig, they must first develop a research question, identify a study area, and determine the best methods for locating and documenting evidence. This larger sequence of planning, survey, excavation, analysis, and interpretation is known as the archaeological process.
In this section, you will be introduced to how archaeologists design research and use survey methods to locate and record archaeological sites. Surveys are a key part of archaeological fieldwork because they allow researchers to study landscapes, identify patterns of human activity, and gather information without immediately excavating. Archaeologists may use pedestrian survey, mapping, aerial imagery, and remote sensing technologies to investigate archaeological remains.
This section also introduces remote sensing, which uses tools such as LiDAR, radar, and aerial photography to detect archaeological features that may not be visible from the ground. These methods help archaeologists study sites more efficiently while also reducing unnecessary disturbance to the archaeological record.
Together, the archaeological process and survey methods show how archaeology is a careful, evidence-based discipline that relies on planning, observation, and responsible data collection.
Learning Objectives
After completing this section, you should be able to:
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Describe the major steps in the archaeological process
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Explain how archaeologists develop a research design and research questions
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Identify the purpose of archaeological survey in fieldwork
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Distinguish between different types of survey methods, including ground survey and remote sensing
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Explain how technologies such as LiDAR and aerial photography assist archaeologists
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Evaluate why survey is an important part of archaeological research before excavation begins
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Recognize how archaeologists use survey data to interpret landscapes and human activity
Why This Matters
Survey is one of the most important tools archaeologists use to understand the past. Not every archaeological question requires excavation, and in many cases survey methods allow archaeologists to gather valuable information while preserving sites.
Understanding the archaeological process helps students see that archaeology is not simply about digging. It is a systematic discipline that begins with research questions, careful planning, and thoughtful methods for collecting evidence. Survey methods help archaeologists identify sites, map cultural landscapes, and make informed decisions about where and how to excavate.
Learning about survey also highlights the importance of non-destructive methods in archaeology. These approaches protect cultural heritage while still allowing archaeologists to ask meaningful questions about past human behavior.
Readings
Please read the following sections:
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2.1.1 The Archaeological Process
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2.1.2 Archaeological Surveys and Remote Sensing
As you read, consider the following questions:
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How do archaeologists move from a research question to fieldwork?
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Why is survey often a necessary step before excavation?
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How do remote sensing methods expand what archaeologists can learn about a site or landscape?
Before Moving On
After completing the readings, reflect on the following question:
Why might archaeologists choose survey and remote sensing methods before deciding to excavate?
You will build on these ideas as we continue exploring excavation, recording methods, and analytical techniques in archaeology.
Attribution
This page incorporates and introduces material from:
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The Archaeological Process
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Archaeological Surveys and Remote Sensing
from LibreTexts Anthropology, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.