Archeological Sites Methodology - Report Example

Archeological sites methodology Student’s Name Institution Affiliation Introduction In history, Archaeological studies remain one of the important fields. It deals with the study of human being and their past. They try to find out facts about the past of human beings and how they have evolved over time. They history of human beings makes it possible for the world to know how they have come to be where they are. The number of years that man has been on earth is known by collecting the materials left behind where dating is done on them to indicate the number of years that it has been in existence. Professionals, who engage themselves in finding Archeological sites, usually use materials that were used and at some point, they use remains of human bodies to discover the shape and adaptability to living conditions. Through the materials got, more information is collected to enable them to come with historical facts. There are many methods that can be used to find archaeological sites. However, these techniques are divided into evasive and non-evasive. These methods include aerial photography, desktop survey, ground-penetrating radar, resistivity and magnetometer surveys, contour survey, physical survey, fieldwalking, and excavation. Excavation is the only evasive method that found, as it required disturbance of the site discovered. All the methods can be used to ensure their information got. At this point, it is possible that can see features that indicate that once there was the life of human beings in a given place. After doing all these, the last method used by experts is excavation which will be now the fact finding a mission and determining a lot of information that is fit for use. In this paper, we are going to discuss various techniques, strengths, and weaknesses they have in the process of doing archaeological studies. Aerial photography Under this method, the expert take photographs while in the space or a high point. They look at those areas that show some characteristics of having been lived in the past. From this, they take photos which are examined whether they can indicate that the place hosted human beings at any point in the past. In this method, a specific locality is chosen where photos are taken they are taken to experts. From this point, different photos are taken then later taken for review so that they can determine the extent to which the place is suitable to be used as an archaeological site. When the photo is further investigated actual, determinate done through excavation. The process has undergone changes as years advance. In the recent years, the experts used balloons in the past where they could fly high and take photos. However, in the recent, they have used airplanes to go to the sky. Advantages of Aerial photographs It makes it easy to view sites easily at the first time before commencing any further studies. It can enable experts view a wide area over a short time. The photos taken can assist in drawings done in ensuring that the place takes the right dimension Features taken on photos can easily be emphasized Other new features can be captured on the photo which might be different from those that were targeted at the beginning Disadvantages Some tiny features may not be seen on the aerial photos taken Experts may experience major problems like sun reflections on the course of taking photos Areas hidden from the sun will not be taken photos hence making it difficult for the experts to take photos that will affect them. There slight difference on what will be taken by photo and what is found exactly on the ground Buried features will not be taken photos making it difficult to discover other sites Some photos may be giving different perceptions about the area Desktop survey This is survey that is taken from the previous information that exists. It involves historical records taken from the computers and other historical records. Usually the experts search information about given historical facts about a given area and the end of the day, they get some new facts that can link them to new archeological sites. All these are not that they use any original information but history information. When they discover some information that can link them to a given place then they use it to go to search places for research. Museums and other historical institutions act as important areas where these information. At the end of the day when the information is got for the purpose of history about human beings. The origins of different communities and tribes in the world are looked into carefully. The places mentioned about having given facts in history are looked into carefully where facts about them are taken and leading to discovery of those areas that have not been further researched. This areas are well researched and practical actions to prove the history of men from this places commences with immediate actions. The survey also is done via the internet where different historical information is researched and used in the search for other archeological sites. When the internet is used several places can easily be got and several facts about this places is taken and the experts can use this information to determine the suitability of this particular place. This type of survey is one of the best in determining the level at which the archaeological practice can be taken. When they use this it makes it easy for researchers to understand the places and quickly support any information that is based on the facts being in context. Advantages Several sites can easily be discovered More places that have not been given attention will be discovered Forgotten points related to those already discovered can be discovered It is easy to have facts about this places It will be easy to locate this places as they already describe them. Disadvantages False information may be used to get archaeological sites The information may not be clear enough to ensure success of the search New places will not be discovered since experts will only be tied to already existing places Ground-penetrating radar, Resistivity and Magnetometer surveys This is one of the methods that are best when it comes to getting information that will lead to getting archeological sites. They always deal with going to actual fact finding about different regions. They involve experts doing some practical discoveries (Banning, 2006, pg. 18). Ground-penetrating radar survey Here radiations are sent to the ground by objects that resemble radars. Once this is done feedbacks are got from the sent radiations giving valid information about what the subsurface contain. From the radiations that are send to the ground there is a lot of information that will be sent to the ground and the rock structure will be studied making it easy to discover those areas. This is where they will be in a position that will lead to making conclusions about the disturbances that occurred on the course of human existence in that particular place. This can be said to be an engineering application that is used to carry out important information about the rock layers and the possibility of the disturbances that was caused on them. The method requires high technology to extract the information required. Also the method is used in those areas where the human activities are said to have been covered due to the changes that have occurred on the surface making it easy for them to get the already covered information. When the engineers carry out this procedure, and disturbances detected the information is extracted showing the number of years that the destruction could have occurred. The information also will indicate the level of disturbance that had occurred this will make the historical experts to make conclusions that will assist to discover the history of man. The history of man maybe covered in the ground due to the number of years that man has been in existence. Resistivity It is also a research that uses modern technology in ensuring that the required information is obtained. Various geological studies are done to ensure that the required information is obtained. Electric method of collecting of the information is found and forwarded to appoint where it can be researched and further advancements made. However this technology is proven and the information obtained is accurate and enables it to discover new information about history of man. Electric imaging of the rock surface is done making it possible to view this information that at end of the day that leads to some conclusion about human beings. Magnetometer surveys Also, it is a kind of survey that aims at studying the magnetic cluster of the earth. It studies various layers of the earth and other additional methods of the earth that leads to the change in composition of the earth’s cluster will be as a result of various man activities. The method will enable experts to access those information that will have been ignored by those who are searching information about the history of man. The method will determine that various activities carried out by the ancient human beings through the changes in the earth cluster. Advantages of this surveys They give exact information about the activities that were carried out by the human beings. They will be able to extract information that could not easily be discovered They enable experts to exactly know the period that human activities were carried in the exact place The methods are best when giving comprehensive information Disadvantages The methods can be costly to experts Some information got from the facts may not reflect the exact information rather they may give information caused by other disturbances The methods may present a threat to those who will be carrying out the information The methods may take a lot of time than the rest Contour survey It is a survey that is done on a land that is said to have uniform height of land. Here the experts try to study characteristics of each and every contour line that is shown on land. This survey to study the characteristics of the different heights that exist on land. The land then is investigated what led to it having different characteristics at different heights. It is said that human beings have been the major players since the past in influencing the characteristics shown by different heights on land. You may find that different parts of a contour displaying different characteristics. Once a discovery in difference is made the determination of the activities of man at any part of the contour is done. Where human being could have been the ones who influenced a given material to be at a given part then it can be said to be an archeological site. There are many reasons as to why a given characteristics can differ from contour to contour. The act of composing different materials by man that react with the rocks leading to changes of the uniformity in characteristics in the contour composition. Also, the existence of human beings ate different positions may lead to disturbance of the heights within the clusters. It is in this area that the contours become important areas in the production of archaeological information. Experts move from one contour to the other trying to establish facts about the contours various characteristics are taken into consideration. Also in this survey mapping is done to establish those areas that could have been used by men. Contour research acts as one of those surveys that provide actual information in archaeological sites establishment. When the research discovers a given place that is linked to the life of human beings, it will be termed as an archeological sites where information about the history of man can be established (Wilson, 2000, pg. 14). Advantages The facts are practically collected and real information about the man as the experts engage in fact finding missions. It enables experts to discover new places that otherwise could have not been discovered, The study is easy compared to others The cost may be relatively small compared to other methods Disadvantages A lot of challenges are faced in the course of the research Experts may not reach all places and the areas covered may not give out enough information Physical survey This kind of survey is carried out by experts themselves visiting those places that are supposed to ensure that they collect enough information regarding human history. They visit different parts of the world that have physical structures and buildings that may give further information regarding the history of man. In this areas several evidences that assist them to make conclusions about the history of man. There are different structures in the world that were constructed by human being of the past. These are the structures that assist a lot in obtaining information about man. At the end of the day through information got out of this structures further places can be discovered. When it comes to discovering the other places then it are best experts have some prior information regarding the history of various places. An example if experts go to a given archeological site in United States from this site they will obtain information that will make them advance their survey to other areas. They will get information that crucial for them to make progress in research. Movement physically all over the world will give them the true picture on the development and evolution of man since the past years. Though the survey bases its discovery on others, it engages those involved in ensuring that they get the real information required in ensuring that many archeological sites are discovered. There are places that may have not been discovered by the previous experts that will be discovered. When the new sites are discovered, then it means that they will be at a position of ensuring that history of human being remains rich and new discoveries will be made. In the physical surveys, it will enable them be at a position of ensuring that they will make the new discoveries that are important. Physical surveys are also important that they have been the major sources of historical information that is real that a lot of people do not doubt. At a point when the physical structures are visited, it will be easy for the experts to discover those areas that do not have archeological studies and direct their energies towards this places. When experts have establish new archaeological sites it means that the whole place will lead to formation of the evolution of human beings that can be used to further the history of human beings. However, we say history continues to evolve; the physical survey creates new sites that act as the store for the information of recent history which will be used in the future generations. History remains to evolve each day there are events that takes place that if they are not well checked t we will have no history keep. The archaeological sites discovered will lead to keeping a lot of information about human history (Riley, 1987, pg. 21). Advantages The survey enables experts to know exact facts The experts are at a position to know the missing information and do research so as to establish facts that are real. The survey does not have delays as the experts go to the field by themselves No information will be distorted, as firsthand information will be collected Disadvantages The information may take time to be obtained, as it will be slow moving from one point to the other The information may be costly as moving experts around the world may turn to be costly There are cases where the information obtained may not reflect the true picture as there maybe cases of interference. Field walking It is a survey that is done physically by those who need information. Here the experts try to study characteristics of each and every place the world while doing fact finding. This survey to study the characteristics of the different characteristics shown by different places. The land then is investigated what led to it having different characteristics at different points. It is said that human beings have been the major players since the past in influencing the characteristics shown by different characteristics. You may find that different parts displaying different characteristics. Once a discovery in difference is made the determination of the activities of man at any part being surveyed is established. Where human being could have been the ones who influenced a given material to be at a given part then it can be said to be an archeological site. There are many reasons as to why a given characteristics can differ from contour to contour. The act of composing different materials by man that react with the rocks leading to changes of the uniformity in characteristics in the contour composition. Also, the existence of human beings ate different positions may lead to disturbance of the heights within the clusters. It is in this area that the contours become important areas in the production of archaeological information. Experts move from one place to the other trying to establish facts about the various characteristics are taken into consideration. Also in this survey mapping is done to establish those areas that could have been used by men. Field walking research acts as one of those surveys that provide actual information in archaeological sites establishment. When the research discovers a given place that is linked to the life of human beings, it will be termed as an archeological sites where information about the history of man can be established. The survey also is done in those areas suspected to have different historical information from the existing facts. When field walking is done, several places can easily be got and several facts about this places are taken and the experts can use this information to determine the suitability of this particular place. This type of survey is one of the best in determining the level at which the archaeological practice can be taken. When they use this it makes it easy for researchers to understand the places and quickly support any information that is based on the facts being in context (Brophy, 2005, pg. 7). Advantages The survey enables experts to know exact facts The experts are at a position to know the missing information and do research so as to establish facts that are real. The survey does not have delays as the experts go to the field by themselves No information will be distorted, as firsthand information will be collected Disadvantages The information may take time to be obtained, as it will be slow moving from one point to the other The information may be costly as moving experts around the world may turn to be costly There are cases where the information obtained may not reflect the true picture as there maybe cases of interference. Conclusion All the above methods can be used in discovering of archaeological sites. This will make it possible that they will lead to more archeological sites to be discovered. The discovery means we will have rich history. References Banning, E. B.; A. Hawkins; S. T. Stewart (2006). "Detection functions for archaeological survey". American Antiquity. 71. pp. 723–742. Bourgeois, J. and Meganck, M. (eds.) (2005). Aerial Photography and Archaeology 2003. A Century of Information. Archaeological Reports Ghent University 4. Ghent: Academia Press. Brophy, K. and Cowley, D. (eds.) (2005). From the air: understanding aerial archaeology. London: The History Press Ltd. Foley, Robert (1981). Off-site archaeology and human adaptation in Eastern Africa. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports International series 97. pp. 8–12. Riley, D. N. (1987). Air photography and archaeology. Univ of Pennsylvania. Schofield, A. J. (1991). Interpreting Artefact Scatters: Contributions to Ploughzone Archaeology. Oxford: Oxbow. Taylor, Christopher (1974). Fieldwork in Medieval Archaeology. Batsford. pp. 59–60. Tabor, Richard (2004). Regional Perspectives in Archaeology: From Strategy to Narrative. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports International series 1203. pp. 48–52. Wilson, D. R . (2000). Air photo interpretation for archaeologists, London: The History Press Ltd. (2nd edn.) Whimster, R. (1989). The Emerging Past: Air Photography and the Buried Landscape. London: RCHM (E). Read More

There slight difference on what will be taken by photo and what is found exactly on the ground Buried features will not be taken photos making it difficult to discover other sites Some photos may be giving different perceptions about the area Desktop survey This is survey that is taken from the previous information that exists. It involves historical records taken from the computers and other historical records. Usually the experts search information about given historical facts about a given area and the end of the day, they get some new facts that can link them to new archeological sites.

All these are not that they use any original information but history information. When they discover some information that can link them to a given place then they use it to go to search places for research. Museums and other historical institutions act as important areas where these information. At the end of the day when the information is got for the purpose of history about human beings. The origins of different communities and tribes in the world are looked into carefully. The places mentioned about having given facts in history are looked into carefully where facts about them are taken and leading to discovery of those areas that have not been further researched.

This areas are well researched and practical actions to prove the history of men from this places commences with immediate actions. The survey also is done via the internet where different historical information is researched and used in the search for other archeological sites. When the internet is used several places can easily be got and several facts about this places is taken and the experts can use this information to determine the suitability of this particular place. This type of survey is one of the best in determining the level at which the archaeological practice can be taken.

When they use this it makes it easy for researchers to understand the places and quickly support any information that is based on the facts being in context. Advantages Several sites can easily be discovered More places that have not been given attention will be discovered Forgotten points related to those already discovered can be discovered It is easy to have facts about this places It will be easy to locate this places as they already describe them. Disadvantages False information may be used to get archaeological sites The information may not be clear enough to ensure success of the search New places will not be discovered since experts will only be tied to already existing places Ground-penetrating radar, Resistivity and Magnetometer surveys This is one of the methods that are best when it comes to getting information that will lead to getting archeological sites.

They always deal with going to actual fact finding about different regions. They involve experts doing some practical discoveries (Banning, 2006, pg. 18). Ground-penetrating radar survey Here radiations are sent to the ground by objects that resemble radars. Once this is done feedbacks are got from the sent radiations giving valid information about what the subsurface contain. From the radiations that are send to the ground there is a lot of information that will be sent to the ground and the rock structure will be studied making it easy to discover those areas.

This is where they will be in a position that will lead to making conclusions about the disturbances that occurred on the course of human existence in that particular place. This can be said to be an engineering application that is used to carry out important information about the rock layers and the possibility of the disturbances that was caused on them. The method requires high technology to extract the information required. Also the method is used in those areas where the human activities are said to have been covered due to the changes that have occurred on the surface making it easy for them to get the already covered information.

When the engineers carry out this procedure, and disturbances detected the information is extracted showing the number of years that the destruction could have occurred.

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