Field Archaeology

Peter Drewett's comprehensive survey explores every stage of the dig process, from the core work of discovery and excavation to the final product: the published archaeological report. Main topics covered are: how an archaeological site is formed finding and recording archaeological sites planning excavations, digging the site and recording the results post-fieldwork planning, processing and finds analysis interpreting the evidence publishing the report. Illustrated with 100 photographs and line drawings, and using numerous case studies, Field Archaeology is the essential introductory guide for archaeology students, and is certain to be welcomed by the growing number of enthusiasts for the subject.

This book, first published in 1946 and re-editioned in 1953, provides a simple introduction to the principles and practice of out-of-doors research in archaeology. It covers in detail all the main procedures with which the student should be familiar, including the use of maps and air-photographs, excavation, the drawing of plans, photography, the recording and interpretation of evidence, and the final publication of results.

Field Methods in Archaeology has been the leading source for instructors and students in archaeology courses and field schools for 60 years since it was first authored in 1949 by the legendary Robert Heizer. Left Coast has arranged to put the most recent Seventh Edition back into print after a brief hiatus, making this classic textbook again available to the next generation of archaeology students. This comprehensive guide provides an authoritative overview of the variety of methods used in field archaeology, from research design, to survey and excavation strategies, to conservation of artifacts and record-keeping. Authored by three leading archaeologists, with specialized contributions by several other experts, this volume deals with current issues such as cultural resource management, relations with indigenous peoples, and database management as well as standard methods of archaeological data collection and analysis.

Geophysics operations in archaeology have become well known through exposure on television. However, the technique is presented as the action of specialists and something of a mystery, where people walk about with strange contraptions, and results appear from a computer. This is not the case, however. Some scientific knowledge is needed in order to understand how the machines work and what they detect but otherwise it is only necessary to know how to handle the instruments, how to survey a field and how to interpret the computer results. This book provides all the relevant information. It explains geophysics operations in archaeology, describes the science that gives the soil properties to measure and the means by which the instruments make their measurements. Dr John Oswin is in charge of the geophysics operation of the Bath and Camerton Archaeological Society and his work has recently been the subject of a television programme. He has taught many students how to use geophysical equipment.

Field practice in archaeology varies greatly throughout the world, mainly because archaeological sites survive in very different ways in different counties. Many manuals see this as a problem - to be defeated by the imposition of standardised procedures. In this book we relish the variety of field practice, seeing it rather as the way the best archaeologists have responded creatively to the challenges of terrain, research objectives and the communities within which they work. While insisting on the highest levels of investigation, we celebrate the different designs, concepts, scientific detection methods and recording systems applied - so embracing standards, but not standardisation. The book is organised in four parts: Part 1 offers a summary of field procedures. Part 2 reviews the principal methods applied, above and below ground, and how the results are analysed. Part 3 illustrates the huge variety confronted by field workers with a series of exemplary commercial and academic projects enacted in downland, jungle, desert, permafrost, road schemes and towns. Approaches also differ according to the traditional methodologies that have evolved in particular countries. In Part 4 we give examples of some the strongest and oldest of those practised on four continents. ​

Peter Drewett's comprehensive survey explores every stage of the dig process, from the core work of discovery and excavation to the final product: the published archaeological report. Main topics covered are: how an archaeological site is formed finding and recording archaeological sites planning excavations, digging the site and recording the results post-fieldwork planning, processing and finds analysis interpreting the evidence publishing the report. Illustrated with 100 photographs and line drawings, and using numerous case studies, Field Archaeology is the essential introductory guide for archaeology students, and is certain to be welcomed by the growing number of enthusiasts for the subject.