Drawing its numerous examples from Britain and beyond, Archaeological Investigation explores the procedures used in field archaeology travelling over the whole process from discovery to publication. Divided into four parts, it argues for a set of principles in part one, describes work in the field in part two and how to write up in part three. Part four describes the modern world in which all types of archaeologist operate, academic and professional. The central chapter ‘Projects Galore’ takes the reader on a whirlwind tour through different kinds of investigation including in caves, gravel quarries, towns, historic buildings and underwater. Archaeological Investigation intends to be a companion for a newcomer to professional archaeology – from a student introduction (part one), to first practical work (part two) to the first responsibilities for producing reports (part three) and, in part four, to the tasks of project design and heritage curation that provide the meat and drink of the fully fledged professional. The book also proposes new ways of doing things, tried out over the author’s thirty years in the field and brought together here for the first time. This is no plodding manual but an inspiring, provocative, informative and entertaining book, urging that archaeological investigation is one of the most important things society does.

Introduction to field survey and mapping methods for archaeologists.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1871.

An archaeological survey of Calling Lake, situated in the mixed wood forest zone approximately 225 km north of Edmonton, found an abundance of prehistoric material at sites on the east and southeast shore. Four prehistoric campsites were excavated in three field seasons from l966 to 1968. Comparison of projectile point styles with types dated elsewhere suggest that occupation of two of the sites began in the interval 3000 to 1000 B.C. with major occupation of the other two sites starting somewhat later. Cultural affiliations appear to be with the Taltheilei tradition and earlier, with the Plains area.

Drawing its numerous examples from Britain and beyond, Archaeological Investigation explores the procedures used in field archaeology travelling over the whole process from discovery to publication. Divided into four parts, it argues for a set of principles in part one, describes work in the field in part two and how to write up in part three. Part four describes the modern world in which all types of archaeologist operate, academic and professional. The central chapter ‘Projects Galore’ takes the reader on a whirlwind tour through different kinds of investigation including in caves, gravel quarries, towns, historic buildings and underwater. Archaeological Investigation intends to be a companion for a newcomer to professional archaeology – from a student introduction (part one), to first practical work (part two) to the first responsibilities for producing reports (part three) and, in part four, to the tasks of project design and heritage curation that provide the meat and drink of the fully fledged professional. The book also proposes new ways of doing things, tried out over the author’s thirty years in the field and brought together here for the first time. This is no plodding manual but an inspiring, provocative, informative and entertaining book, urging that archaeological investigation is one of the most important things society does.

This practical volume, the first book in the Manuals in Archaeological Method, Theory and Technique series, examines in detail the factors that affect archaeological detectability in surveys whose methods range from visual to remote sensing in land, underwater, and intertidal zones - furnishing a comprehensive treatment of prospection, parameter estimation, model building, and detection of spatial structure.

"The second edition of Archaeological Investigation is even more ambitious than the first and reaches out into different kinds of archaeological investigation practiced the world over. Including updated theory, aims and methods of field archaeology in the academic and commercial sectors, it to explores the procedures used from discovery to publication. Divided into four parts, Part 1 (Principles) sets the scene for newcomers, showing the axial role of fieldwork in rediscovering the past. Part 2 (In the Field) is aimed at those setting out on their path of exploration. Word pictures on "First day in the Field' and "First day on a dig" provide friendly introductions to the high-tech enterprise that field work has become and how the vital records of discoveries are made. Now fully engaged in the process, the wouldbe archaeologist is ready to take part in the key phase of the investigation: Part 3 (Writing Up). Here all the results of fieldwork are marshalled with a view to analyzing the finds, the use of space and the chronology of what happened at the site. The results are then communicated through museums, the display of sites and above all by publication that presents the discovered objects, buildings and activities and how they contribute to new understanding of the past. Part 4 (Design) is addressed to the fully-fledged field archaeologist ready to participate in their leading action - how to make archaeology happen. It begins with a tour of great projects (Challenges) and then explains the way archaeological projects are devised to break new ground and solve historical and prehistorical problems (Designing Projects). The final chapter discusses the opportunities, pleasures, difficulties and rewards of working as a full-time archaeologist (The Profession). Now with prehistorian Madeleine Hummler as joint author, Archaeological Investigation remains an inspiring, provocative, informative and entertaining book for students and professional, and makes a powerful case for archaeology's benefits and relevance to communities, present and to come"--