Used for sightings by surveyors.Ĭompass: a navigational instrument showing north, south, east and west. Ranging pole: a surveying instrument painted alternating red and white in 50cm intervals. Used in surveying, it gives precise locations to finds and features. Receiving co-ordinates from three satellites, it finds its location and checks its accuracy with a fourth satellite. Global Positioning System (GPS): is a geo-spatial positioning device with a handheld instrument communicating to satellites. Trowel: a hand tool, typically pointed, with a metal blade and handle used for delicate work. Mattock: a hand tool similar to a pick axe, used for removing soil and debris. It is used to give precise locations to artefacts and features in an archaeological survey. Total station: an electronic instrument used to measure angles and distances, particularly on slopes.
Used in surveying and mapping, as well as determining heights. Theodolite: an instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles. Set on a tripod base, it is used in surveying and recording spot heights. Archaeological field toolsĭumpy level: an automatic level used to determine heights arbitrarily and in relation to a known point. Because excavating any area of an archaeological site can only occur once, archaeologists have to be meticulous about recording the location of all movable artefacts as well as architectural remains found so that important information is not lost.
Archaeology is the study of the past through the material remains of a society.