Site Survey

Definition

A site survey is the systematic examination and documentation of a specific area to identify and assess archaeological resources, including artifacts, features, and structures. It plays a crucial role in understanding the historical context of a location, facilitating the collection of data that informs subsequent excavation and research strategies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Site surveys can be conducted through various methods, including pedestrian surveying, where archaeologists walk across a landscape to visually inspect for surface artifacts.
2. Geophysical survey techniques, such as ground-penetrating radar or magnetometry, help identify subsurface features without disturbing the soil.
3. In colonial contexts, site surveys help researchers understand settlement patterns, trade routes, and interaction between different cultures.
4. Data collected during a site survey can be analyzed to determine the site's chronology, helping to date artifacts and features found within it.
5. Successful site surveys often lead to the development of preservation strategies for significant archaeological resources identified during the survey process.

Review Questions

• How does a site survey contribute to our understanding of Spanish exploration and early settlements in North America?
  • A site survey provides essential data on where early Spanish explorers established settlements, including their interactions with indigenous populations. By identifying artifacts and features from these periods, archaeologists can reconstruct daily life, trade relations, and cultural exchanges that took place in these colonial environments. This information is vital for understanding how Spanish exploration influenced the development of North American societies.
• What role does site survey play in examining the evolution of plantation systems and labor practices in colonial America?
  • Site surveys reveal important archaeological evidence related to plantation layouts, housing for enslaved individuals, and agricultural practices. By documenting the spatial organization of plantations through site surveys, researchers can analyze changes in labor practices over time. This helps illuminate how plantation systems adapted in response to economic demands and social structures in colonial society.
• Evaluate the impact of site surveys on understanding architectural styles and spatial organization of colonial homes.
  • Site surveys are crucial for studying architectural styles as they allow for the identification of construction techniques, materials used, and spatial arrangements within colonial homes. By analyzing the layout and design of these structures through surveys, researchers can trace cultural influences and regional adaptations in colonial architecture. This analysis aids in comprehending how social hierarchies and family structures were reflected in home design during the colonial period.

Related terms

Archaeological Mapping: The process of creating detailed maps that document the locations of archaeological features and artifacts within a site.

Remote Sensing: Techniques that use satellite or aerial imagery to detect and analyze features on the Earth's surface without physical excavation.

Test Excavation: A preliminary digging method used to evaluate the potential significance of an archaeological site by uncovering a small portion of it.