How do archaeologists know where to dig?

Archaeologists determine where to dig using a combination of research, technology, and field surveys. Here are the key methods they use:

1. Historical Records & Local Knowledge

Ancient Texts & Maps: Documents, old maps, and historical accounts often provide clues about lost cities, battlefields, or settlements.
Local Traditions & Oral Histories: Stories passed down through generations sometimes hint at buried ruins.

2. Aerial & Satellite Surveys

Aerial Photography: Variations in soil color, crop growth, or landscape features can reveal hidden structures.
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): Uses lasers to scan the ground, even through dense forests, detecting ancient roads, walls, and foundations.
Google Earth & Satellite Imagery: Helps archaeologists identify large-scale features from above.

3. Ground Surveys & Fieldwalking

Surface Artifacts: Pottery shards, tools, or building materials found on the ground suggest buried structures.
Magnetometry & Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR): Detects underground anomalies without excavation, revealing walls, graves, or ditches.
Soil Analysis: Changes in soil composition or texture may indicate past human activity.

4. Rescue & Development-Driven Archaeology

Construction Projects: Large developments (roads, buildings) often expose buried sites, triggering emergency excavations.
Erosion & Natural Events: Earthquakes, floods, or erosion sometimes uncover previously unknown sites.

5. Experimental & Predictive Models

GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Archaeologists use data layers (topography, climate, ancient trade routes) to predict where settlements might have been.
Comparative Studies: If similar cultures settled in specific environments, archaeologists look for similar conditions elsewhere.

Once a potential site is identified, archaeologists conduct test digs (trial trenches) before committing to a full excavation. Would you like an example of how a famous site was discovered?

Some site you just can't miss....

Others will have to be located.

Shadow marks indicate buildings

Google Earth images

Lidar.

Lidar imaging is a new method used by archaeologist to learn about ancient sites. Watch this clip and write down how Lidar helps archaeologists located ancient sites.

Archaeologists can also locate ancient sites by field walking where they suspect an ancient sites may be located. They look for signs of ancient life such as pottery on the field surface. If they start finding lots of pottery they will put down an exploratory trench to see if they find any sign of ancient buildings.

Machines such as the Ground Penetrating Radar allows archaeological to get an idea what is beneath the ground without yet putting a shovel in the ground. This instrument produces a map which show what large structures are below.

Accidental discoveries.

Sometimes when a new building is being constructed on a site that has been used for hundreds or even thousands of years, ancient remains come to light. Or even a farmer digging a field may unearth evidence of ancient buildings, some sites were located during bombings in WWII or even a natural disaster such as flood can expose ancient sites and artifacts. Look at the following pictures, have a guess at the way these ancient sites were located.

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