One of the backbones of archaeological research is pedestrian survey, during which archaeologists line up in neat rows and walk together across a parcel of land carefully watching for evidence of archaeological sites. No matter how good aerial or satellite photography gets (or for that matter, remote sensing techniques improve), we'll never be able to complete a satisfactory archaeological survey without walking across the surface. However, getting lost in a cultivated field, pasture, or woodland used to be part of the charm--or part of the nightmare--of archaeological research, depending on your point of view. Today, using global positioning system technology in the field allows you to accurately plot site locations and artifact densities and, an added bonus, quickly sort out where you are should you become lost in the corn.
These archaeologists from Wessex Archaeology are setting up survey transects in a cultivated field in the United Kingdom
These archaeologists from Wessex Archaeology are setting up survey transects in a cultivated field in the United Kingdom
