Finding a Buried Historic Site

William Gibson

Digging may be tough, but finding where to can be even tougher sometimes. To find where things are buried Archeologists have to follow through a number of steps.

1. Have a Purpose or a Question. To actually set up an excavation site an Archeologist has to have some sort of reason for doing it. Usually people are trying to locate, learn or discover something and need to excavate to figure it out.
2. Archival Research. This step involves taking a look at records of some sort and using them to locate the general area of what you are trying to find. The types of records can include maps, documents, deeds, books, websites, newspapers and diaries.
3. Aerial/Ground Photography. When you know the general area of the place then you can begin your photography. Photography can help you see anything that might help you find your site.
4. Predisturbance Surveying. This is a description of using different methods to find anomalies under the soil that may be manmade. These include, Geophysical prospecting, Metal detecting, Soil Resistivity, and Georadar.
5. Field Walking. This is when Archeologists take a walk to see if they can find anything that may point to a site such as strange grass growth or protruding walls.
6. Testing Pitting. This is the final step. If you think you have found something you can dig a test pit to make sure, before you start excavating.