Research on Archeology

Process of Archeology

1) Surveying

Three types of method:

-       Surface Survey

means combing an area, by either on foot or machineries, to search for features or artifacts visible on the surface, unable to detect sites or features that are completely buried under earth, or overgrown with vegetation

-       Aerial Survey

Means using cameras attached to airplanes, balloons, or even Kites. A bird's-eye view is useful for quick mapping of large or complex sites. Aerial imaging can also detect many things not visible from the surface

-       Geophysical Survey

most effective way to see beneath the ground Magnetometers detect minute deviations in the Earth's magnetic field caused by iron artifacts, kilns, some types of stone structures, and even ditches and middens

2) Excavation

Excavation is the most expensive phase of archaeological research, in relative terms. Also, as a destructive process, hence, very few sites are excavated in their entirety. It is common for large mechanical equipment to be used, especially when removing the topsoil. 

3) Analysis

Once artifacts and structures have been excavated, or collected from surface surveys, it is necessary to properly study them, to gain as much data as possible. This process is known as post-excavation analysis, and is usually the most time-consuming part of the archaeological investigation. It is not uncommon for the final excavation reports on major sites to take years to be published.