Expert: Ralph Salier - 2/11/2005

Question
How are sites located and how are they excavated?

Answer
Hi Peter,

Archaeological sites can be found many different ways. But here is a short list of the most common:
1) by site survey of an area - this is done by walking on rain washed plowed fields with the permission of the local farmers.  The identification of the sites is done when artifacts are found and recorded.  2) when construction is occuring and the artifacts are found by the construction workers digging the foundation or pipe lines.  Most states have laws that require these sites to be reported to the authorities.  3) A known site is to be disturbed in some way and the authorities bring in archaeologists to preserve the information before it is destroyed.  4) By arieal or space photo showing tell tail patterns in the land below.

And just like there are many ways to locate a site, there are many ways to excavate one too but for the most part it does require digging in the ground.  This can be done in 5x5 foot squares or 2 x 2 meter squares or in large blocks of most any size.  It can be done by heavy equipment like a back hoe or front end loader.  And it can be done in mini blocks of ,5 meter squares a small pick and brush when burials are involved.  

There are several good books on these subjects but the best is called the Archaeologists hand book.