Archaeology 17 min read
Archaeology
Archaeology
Archaeological survey methods, documentation standards and the intersection of archaeology with spatial technology.
Archaeological survey and excavation reveal the buried material remains of past human activity. In heritage documentation, archaeological methods — surface survey, remote sensing, geophysical survey and excavation — are combined with spatial technology (GIS, drone mapping) to create comprehensive site records.
Archaeological survey methods
Surface survey (field walking), geophysical survey (ground-penetrating radar, magnetometry), trial trenching and systematic excavation are the principal methods. Drone mapping and photogrammetry are now standard documentation tools on excavation sites.
Regulatory context in India
Archaeological work in India is governed by the Ancient Monuments Act 1958. Excavation by non-ASI parties requires a permit under the Act. INTACH and state archaeology departments also carry out survey work.
Integration with GIS
GIS is central to modern archaeological survey — recording finds locations, mapping site extents, analysing landscape patterns and managing site archives spatially.
Guides & Articles (2)
Frequently Asked Questions — Archaeology
How is drone mapping used in archaeological survey?
Drones capture aerial photogrammetric data processed into orthomosaic maps and digital elevation models (DEMs). These allow archaeologists to map surface features, earthworks and crop marks at high resolution without disturbing the ground.