Integrating Geophysical Methods
Geophysical methods are most successful as part of
an integrated and flexible research design. Planning for geophysical
survey should be considered from the inception of a project, and
the potential information that geophysical data may offer should
be anticipated. Planning of a hypothetical project might anticipate
the following stages:
- Define research goals
- Site reconnaissance, sample collection
- Assess feasibility
- Develop appropriate survey design
- Conduct survey
- Develop preliminary interpretations
- Ground truthing (on-the-ground
testing)
- Refine interpretations
- Excavation
- Model site context integrating excavation, geophysical,
environmental and other available data
Flexibility must be designed into every stage of the
research program, as survey results cannot be reliably predicted,
and because each stage will inform subsequent stages.
As geophysical methods become increasingly common,
their future use should be anticipated even when they are not part
of current research plans. Noting conditions that might affect geophysical
methods (see our site form)
and collecting small samples of soils, rock, and cultural materials
may be invaluable in the future. More critical, and often overlooked,
is the effect of metal artifacts
left on sites by archaeologists themselves. Steel pinflag stakes,
nails, datums, and other items that are deliberately or accidentally
left on sites can have a very detrimental effect on magnetic data.
Whenever possible, Plastic, wood, or aluminum substitutes should
be used for these items. Steel pinflag stakes are particularly problematic.
Ubiquitously used, often lost, and difficult to find after the plastic
flag has degraded and fallen off, the steel wire creates a surprisingly
large magnetic anomaly. The slight inconvenience and expense of
fiberglass-stake pinflags will be found to be well worth the benefits.
It is hoped that these considerations will be reflected in standard
archaeological practices in the near future. Site management for successful geophysical survey is discussed more thoroughly here.
