Step 2: Site Survey
More About Step 2:
Archaeology:" A Step-by-Step Process
A Case Study: Excavations at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary ShopClick on portions of the image to learn more about the archaeological process.
Accurate measurements of the precise location and elevation of a site are made using this tool known as a transit.
In order for the archaeologists to be able to reconstruct a site after it is excavated, it is surveyed beforehand. The location of excavation units or squares are measured and then marked with string so that the provenience, the exact location, of an artifact or feature can be maintained.
The fixed point of reference from which the site measurements are taken. These measurements correspond to the cardinal direction; North, South, East and West. Often a United States Geological Survey benchmark is used as the datum. The transit is placed over the datum point to shoot the grid overlay on the site.
A Pictorial Guide To The Five Step Process:
