Definition: It is not always prudent or possible to excavate all of a particular site, or survey all of a particular area. In those cases, it is important to design an excavation or survey strategy that will obtain enough information to make realistic interpretations of a site or area.
Sampling requires that you first assemble a description of all the pieces of the puzzle they expect to examine, and then select a subset of those pieces. For example, if one were to plan to survey a particular valley, one might describe all the kinds of physical locations that occur in the valley (floodplain, upland, terrace, etc.) and then select a percentage of each location type to survey.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.
Sampling requires that you first assemble a description of all the pieces of the puzzle they expect to examine, and then select a subset of those pieces. For example, if one were to plan to survey a particular valley, one might describe all the kinds of physical locations that occur in the valley (floodplain, upland, terrace, etc.) and then select a percentage of each location type to survey.
Sources
A brief bibliography on sampling in archaeology has been assembled for this project.This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Any mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.
