Surveying & Prospection for Archaeology & Environmental Science

Introduction

Phil Buckland & Johan Olofsson

Contents

• About the course

• Some Definitions

• Environmental Archaeology & Env. Science

• Teaching forms, examination & literature

• Course outline & overview of units

About this course

• few lectures, lots of practicals & seminars

• project orientated: data from fieldwork used in practicals

• group & individual work

• independent learning

• teach a few semi-specific skills (survey & prospection)

• learn a range of transferable skills useful in many fields(ArcGIS, Powerpoint, Excel, basic statistics)

About this course

Course components %

Lectures 5

Fieldwork 10

Supervised Computer Labs* 8.5

Seminars 4.5

Scheduled study time & report writing

40

Independent/group work & reading 32

*supervised time - ca. 9 full days of practicals; other computer labs available during rest of course

Definitions

ProspectionThe act of looking forward, or of providing for future wants; foresight.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

SurveyingThe practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

ArchaeologyThe study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of physical remains.

Compact Oxford English Dictionary

Archaeology

The study of past human life and culture and its interaction with the environment.

Environmental Archaeology

The study of past environmental and climate change with a focus on (but not exclusively*) human interactions.

*some may disagree...

Landscape Change

Tim

e

Prehistory

Present

Future

Farm Production Cycle

Farm Produce Output

PEOPLE

FIELDSFodder

MilkMeat

StrawWeeds

Manure

GrainWaste

BYRE

Analysis Methods in Environmental Archaeology

MEADOWHAY FIELD FODDER

Pollen

CROPSWEEDS

MANURED FIELDSMANUREBYRE

Macrofossils(Pollen)

MacrofossilsInsectsSoil Chemistry(Pollen)

Macrofossils(Pollen)

Soil Chemistry(Pollen)

Soil ChemistryInsects(Pollen)

SECONDARYPRODUCTION

FIELD SOIL FORMATIONS

Proxy data sources:reflect changes in environment without direct measurement of actual variable.

Analysis Methods in Environmental Archaeology

Generalised cycle of Iron Age farm operations

Methods - PalaeoecologySample Processing (Sub)fossils

Identification

Modern ecology data

Dung beetle:Presence of

animals

Hazel nuts:Food source,Climate warm

Methods – Palaeoecology and soil chemistry

Modern landscape

Prehistoric landscape

Cit-P

Cit-PoI

MS

Inorganic phosphorusOrganic phosphorusMagnetic susceptibility

5 2 1 3 5 0 5 2 1 4 0 0 5 2 1 4 5 0 5 2 1 5 0 0 5 2 1 5 5 0

2 7 6 7 0 0

2 7 6 7 5 0

2 7 6 8 0 0

2 7 6 8 5 0

2 7 6 9 0 0

2 7 6 9 5 0

2 7 7 0 0 0

Land Use - Iron Age Settlement

SamplePoints

Land Use - Iron Age Settlement

DTM -DigitalTerrainModel

SamplePoints

IronAge FarmRemains

InterpretedLanduse

Reconstructionswith suggested field boundaries 0 m 5 0 m 1 0 0 m 1 5 0 m

N

Additional farm predicted from prospection results

Long house

Grain storage Kitchen Stable Barn

Environmental Science

Very broadly...“the study of the interactions among the physical, chemical and biological components of the environment...”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_science

“...with a focus on pollution and degradation of the environment related due to human

activities; and the impact on biodiversity and sustainability from local and global

development.”

Environmental Science

Some similarities with Environmental Archaeology:

• Measurement of chemical/physical properties

• Lab & field components

• Spatial & temporal data

• Data analyses

• Assessment & prediction/retrodiction of environmental change

• Benefit from computational & GIS methods

Teaching forms and learning

Fieldwork, computer labs, lectures, group work and presentations. Problem based learning.

Emphasis on the practical application of surveying and sampling methodologies.

Students will work in small interactive and rotated groups, supported by individual based learning, which will then be combined for a cohesive analysis of the problem at hand.

Teaching will be coordinated using the Ping-Pong online teaching administration system.

ExaminationShort papers, practicals (seminar interaction and group based presentation), and individual written report.

All parts of the course must be completed for examination. The available grades in Swedish system are: failed (U), passed (G), passed with merit (VG).

Course components are weighted as follows: Short papers on theory & methods 20% Practical performance: 30% Final report: 50%

A minimum grade of G (40%) in all examined components must be obtained in order to pass the course. To pass with merit (VG) students must achieve an average of 70% for the entire course.

ExaminationCourse components are weighted as follows:

Short papers on theory & methods 20% - home exam, given out towards end of Unit 1 - handed in on 31st July

Practical performance: 30% - fieldwork & group presentations

Final report: 50% - combination of individual & group work- guided writing (structure and directions will be given)- handed in on 11th August- individual presentations on 14th August

Literature

Course LiteratureGetting to Know Arcgis Desktop, 2nd ed.The Basics of ArcView, Arceditor, and Arcinfo Updated for Arcgis 9(Incl. software, 180 days trial version)ISBN: 158948083X (Check internet shops for best price. Should cost about 400 Skr.)

Articles (pdf) and websitesA ”compendium” will be available i Ping Pong

Recommended Literature Geographical Information System in ArchaeologyJames Conolly and Mark LakeCambridge University PressISBN: 0521797446

Ask us for more tips & use the library

An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems Sarah Cornelius, Steve Carver, Ian HeywoodPrentice Hall ISBN: 0131293176

Other information sources

The Internet - use it!www.wikipedia.orgwww.google.com etc.www.umu.se/envarchlab/mal/... more links to come in Ping-Pong

Search for keywords, but beware:definitions can vary between disciplines and countries!

The internet can also be wrong...

Course Structure

1. Introductory lectures (theory)

2. Fieldwork

3. Basic GIS (lecture; practicals)

4. Topographic & feature mapping (lecture; practicals; seminar)

5. Sample data (lecture; practicals; seminar)

6. Spatial analyses & soil property data (lecture; practicals)

7. Summary of work so far, and report preparation (seminars)

8. Report writing & independent exam study

9. Report presentations & course conclusion (seminars)

Course Unit 1

RegistrationIntroduction2006-06-07 13:00 - 15:00 Aims, course structure, case study details, introducing Ping Pong.Theory: Project design 2006-06-08 10:00 - 12:00 Problem orientation, workflow design.Theory: Topographic survey & feature mapping 2006-06-09 10:00 - 12:00 Surveying in practise. Basic mathematics of triangles. Remote sensing.Grilling by the department 2006-06-09 16:00 - Depending on the weather... we'll provide bread & sausage (any vegetarians?), bring your own drinks.Theory: Spatial sampling & soil properties 2006-06-12 10:00 - 12:00 Prospection. Proxy data sources. Soil chemistry and physical properties. Sampling, gridding and interpolation.Theory: Mapping & fieldwork introduction 2006-06-13 10:00 - 12:00 Mapping practicalities, coordinate systems, survey instruments. Introduction to fieldwork.

Course Unit 2

Field work 2006-06-13 13:00 - 17:00 Comparison of surveying methods (Total Station, theodolite & GPS)Field work 2006-06-14 09:00 - 12:30 Comparison of surveying methods (Total Station, theodolite & GPS)Inauguration: International Summer University 2006-06-14 15:30 –Field work 2006-06-15 09:00 - 17:00 Comparison of surveying methods (Total Station, theodolite & GPS)Field work 2006-06-16 09:00 - 17:00 Surveying and prospection (Practical application).Field work 2006-06-19 09:00 - 17:00 Surveying and prospection (Practical application).Field work 2006-06-20 09:00 - 17:00 Surveying and prospection (Practical application).

Course Unit 3

Theory: GIS 2006-06-21 10:00 - 12:00 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems.

Practical introduction to ArcView 2006-06-26 09:00 - 16:00 Group work, computer lab.

Practical introduction to ArcView 2006-06-27 09:00 - 16:00 Group work, computer lab.

Practical introduction to ArcView 2006-06-28 09:00 - 16:00 Group work, computer lab.Evaluate surveying methods (theodolite, totalstation, GPS).

Course Unit 4

Theory: Topographic & feature mapping 2006-06-29 10:00 - 12:00 Rectifying and registration of maps. Map design. Creating contours and adding features

Practical: Topographic & feature mapping 2006-06-29 13:00 - 16:00 Group work, computer lab.

Practical: Topographic & feature mapping 2006-06-30 09:00 - 16:00 Group work, computer lab.

Practical: Topographic & feature mapping 2006-07-03 09:00 - 16:00 Group work, computer lab.

Group Presentations: Topographic & feature data 2006-07-04 10:00 - 15:00 Short presentations & discussion of results

Course Unit 5

Theory: Sample data2006-07-05 10:00 - 12:00 Basic statistics for summarising data. Graphing and charting. Reporting and PowerPoint presentation.

Practical: MS Excel & data analysis2006-07-05 13:00 - 16:00 Basic statistics. Using Excel to summarise, analyse and graph data.

Practical: Sample data 2006-07-06 09:00 - 16:00 Group work, computer lab.

Practical: Sample data 2006-07-07 09:00 - 12:00 Group work, computer lab.

Group Presentations: Sample data 2006-07-07 13:00 - 17:00 Short presentations & discussion

Course Unit 6

Theory: Spatial analyses2006-07-10 10:00 - 12:00 Analysing and interpreting spatial data.

Practical: Soil property data2006-07-11 09:00 - 16:00 Group work, computer lab.

Practical: Soil property data2006-07-12 09:00 - 16:00 Group work, computer lab.

Practical: Soil property data2006-07-13 09:00 - 12:00 Group work, computer lab.

Course Unit 7

Theory: Report writing2006-07-13 13:00 - 15:00 Report structure and expected contents

Discussion of results & report preparation 2006-07-14 10:00 - 15:00Summary of work so far and preparation for final report.

Course Unit 8

Report Writing 2006-07-17 -2006-07-28 Independant group work

Deadline for written exam2006-07-31 10:00 - 17:00 Hand in to teachers

Report Writing2006-08-01 -2006-08-11 Group work, teachers available 1 hour per day.

Course Unit 9

Final Report Presentation and Appraisal2006-08-14 10:00 - 15:00 Short presentations and discussion

Course Conclusion2006-08-15 10:00 - 12:00 Summary and evaluation

Fieldwork areas

•University Campus - outside department•Agnäs, 50 km West of Umeå

Agnäs

Check list

Register at the Dept. Archaeology and Sami Studies.Get a student email address from Umdac:

You need to visit Umdac. Bring an ID.Get a pass card for access to KBC building, GIS-lab & HUMlab.

(We’ll sort this out)Log on to Ping Pong (after the 12th June)

Add personal info.Apply for a HUMlab account.

http://www.humlab.umu.se/You need a pass card number before doing this.

Activate your Active Directory to get access to PC’s in GIS-lab.You need a student email address to do this.

https://www.verktyg.umdac.umu.se/

Party 1

Grilling - up the hill from the department, towards IKSU

Start 16:00

We’ll provide hotdogs etc. Bring your own drinks

Please tell us on Thursday whether you will be coming(& if you are a vegetarian)

Party 2Inauguration of the International Summer University will be held 14 June at the Building for Teacher education.

TimeWednesday 14 June 2006 at 3:30 pmPlaceLjusgården, Teacher Education Building on CampusProgramme• Mingle with snacks and refreshments• Piano performance by jazz legend Birgit Lindberg• Umeå University’s All-Star Band with P A Sundbaum and others• Grace Mc Clean from Belfast, recording artist and Umeå alumnus• Entertainment by students from our Singing Songwriting and Creative Music courses• Show tunes from the musical “Only the Lonely” by the Umeå Show Choir• Master of Ceremonies for the musical programme is Lorentz Edberg

Link on course website