Evaluation of archaeological survey techniques : a comparison of phase Ia methodology at Site 12Ma648

Abstract

Reconnaissance survey (Phase Ia) provides the backbone to archaeological field methodology. Archaeological sites are typically discovered through reconnaissance techniques, more often via pedestrian survey and shovel probe testing. There is a lack of a consensus in the archaeological community on whether or not these techniques are effective as reconnaissance methodology. The following thesis evaluates these techniques' relative effectiveness at finding and preliminarily evaluating archaeological sites, the main objectives of reconnaissance. This study compares actual and simulated surveys using both techniques on a multi-component site in a woodland setting as well as addressing the cost-effectiveness of these techniques when estimating the time needed to complete them.