This document discusses methods for exploration before, during, and after archaeological surveys and excavations. It describes traditional methods such as studying ancient literature, maps, village surveys, and surface studies. It also outlines scientific methods like aerial photography, satellite imagery, GPS, geophysical surveys using tools like probes, soil studies, metal detectors, electrical resistivity meters, and magnetometers. The document provides examples of how these various exploration methods can be used to identify and document sites and artifacts.

1. EXPLORATION
Before
During
& After
Problem Oriented
Sachin Kr. Tiwary
sachintiwary@bhu.ac.in

2. • Team,
• Equipments,
• technology
– GPS,
– GPRS,
BEFORE
• Knowledge of:
• Geography,
• Ethnic group,
• History,
• Environment,
• Map and toposheet study,

3. GENERAL VIEW OF THE STUDY AREA

4. SITE SATTLEMENT & CATCHMENT AREA
LAKE

5. Paleo-channel

6. Cultivated palaeo-channel in the end of March

7. Team

8. • Tentative Dating,
• Plotting on map,
• Charting,
• Collection of an
Artifacts,
DURING
• Survey:
• Sampelling,
• Plotting on data sheet,
• Drawing,
• Documentation-Photography,

9. An old headless Buddha
image & modern statue are
placed over rock bench

10. General view of mound from southern side

11. NINDAUR
BANARSIA
BUDDHA
PAINTING
STUPA &
ASOKAN
INSCRIPTION

12. ACCUMULATION OF THE IMAGES IN FRAGMENT
CONDITION

13. on foot, horseback, scooter and 4wheel drive vehicles

15. Ladakh Rock Art Survey
… environmental
description and
photographs,
section or squared
site plan if needed.

16. AFTER
• Documentation,
• Report Writing,
• Presentation,
• Publication…., If needed planning for an excavation

17. TRADITIONAL
1. Ancient Litt.
2. Maps-Toposheets
3. Village to Village
Survey,
4. Accidental Discovery,
5. Crop Marks,
6. Surface Study,
7. Valley based,
8. Regional based,
SCIENTIFIC- why these are imp.?
1. Ariel Photography,
2. Satellite Image,
3. Google Earth,
4. GPS, GPRS
5. Earth Study:
1. Probing (T-shape),
2. Bosing (Sound),
3. Metal Detector,
4. Electrical Resistivity M.,
5. Magnetometer,
6. Soil Study,
Kind of Exploration- Problem Oriented
Over the Land- Under the Water (From the sky, over the ground and inside the water)

18. Ancient Litt.
1. Foreign
Travelogue:
Greek, Chinese,
Tibet, Arab etc.
2. Indian Litt.
Vedic-Pauranic-
Religious,
Secular (Ved,
Puran, Vedang,
Mahabharat,
Ramayan etc.)
Buddhist
(Tripitak, Jataka),
Jaina (Epic,
Agam, Kavya)
etc.
TRADITIONAL

19. Maps-Toposheets
TRADITIONAL
Village to Village
Survey
Accidental Discovery
While Agriculture,
Road Construction,
Building Construction

20. TRADITIONAL
Village to Village Survey
Surface Study

21. TRADITIONAL
Village to Village Survey
Surface Study

22. Crop Marks
TRADITIONAL

23. GENERAL VIEW OF THE MOUND FROM NORTH-WESTERN CORNER,
LARI GARH
Surface Study
TRADITIONAL

24. REMAINS OF BRICK
STRUCTURES
ON THE MOUND, LARI
GARH
Brick Sizes 35 X 22 X 5 cms

25. POTSHERDS OF DIFFERENT TYPES ARE OCUURED
FROM THE MOUND LARI GARH

26. STRUCTURAL EVIDENCE
GOOGLE EARTH VIEW OF THE LARI MOUND IN
WHICH THE TRACES OF STRUCTURE IS VERY CLEAR,
LARI GARH

27. Surface Study
TRADITIONAL

28. SCIENTIFIC
Ariel Photography
For an Exploration

29. SCIENTIFIC
Ariel Photography
For An Excavation

30. SCIENTIFIC
Satellite Image

31. SCIENTIFIC Google Earth STRUCTURAL EVIDENCE
GOOGLE EARTH VIEW OF THE LARI MOUND IN
WHICH THE TRACES OF STRUCTURE IS VERY CLEAR,
LARI GARH

32. SCIENTIFIC
GPS, GPRS

33. SCIENTIFIC
GPS, GPRS

34. SCIENTIFIC
Earth Study:
Probing (T-shape),
Soil Study,
Bosing (Sound),
Metal Detector,
Electrical Resistivity M.,
Magnetometer,
,

35. Probing (T-shape)
Soil Study

36. Metal Detector

37. Electrical Resistivity Meter

38. Magnetometer

39. Marine Archaeological
Survey and an excavation
Thank you