Fieldwalking
Systematic collection or mapping of artefacts from the ground surface provides useful evidence for past human settlement and activity.
The technique is particularly useful where rapid archaeological assessment of large areas of arable land is required. A 'traverse and stint' methodology is employed whereby the area of survey is crossed by traverses separated by 20m with each split into 20m stints. By only collecting material from a 20m line the archaeological record is not removed and an effective sample is studied allowing identification of sites, date of occupation, type of activity carried out etc.
Distribution map of fieldwalking finds from prehistoric site.
Key: Red = flint tool, yellow = flint debitage, black = burnt flint, blue = flint core
Archaeological Surveys use dGPS equipment to log and locate finds to sub-metre accuracy and can analyse finds within a CAD or GIS environment.