The principal concern of any archaeological fieldwork is to acquire new information within the context of a well-designed program of research. This program of research today ranges from goal-specific one day fieldwork to long term ventures covering many field seasons. In the field, one of the main concern of the archaeologist is the study of artifacts and features. Artifacts are the objects made or used or modified by the man such as stone tools, pottery and metal objects. A site is selected on the basis of combination of several factors, such as the period of the site, the length of the occupation, the importance of the structures and the site uniqueness in the area. Further, the archaeological site is selected to address specific goal or goals. The goal covers in terms of time, space, subject matter and approach. The research is tailored made to solve specific problem(s).

1. (Unveiling the Mysteries of the Past)
Dr. Rajiv Kumar Jaiswal
Assistant Professor
Dept. of AIHC & Archaeology
Vasanta College for Women

2. Exploration
The principal concern of any archaeological fieldwork is to acquire
new information within the context of a well-designed program of
research.
This program of research today ranges from goal-specific one day
fieldwork to long term ventures covering many field seasons.
In the field, one of the main concern of the archaeologist is the
study of artifacts and features. Artifacts are the objects made or
used or modified by the man such as stone tools, pottery and metal
objects.

3. Type of Sites
•Prehistoric open area sites like riverside terraces
•Prehistoric caves like Bhimbetka
•Neolithic sites like ashmounds
•Habitation mounds, like Rajghat
•Habitation-cum-burial sites like Brahmagiri
•Monumental sites like, Mohenjodaro, Dhaulavira
•Sacred sites like sarnath
•Underwater sites like, Dwarka

4. Selection of a Site
 A site is selected on the basis of combination of several
factors, such as the period of the site, the length of the
occupation, the importance of the structures and the site
uniqueness in the area.
Further, the archaeological site is selected to address
specific goal or goals.
The goal covers in terms of time, space, subject matter
and approach.
The research is tailored made to solve specific problem(s).

5. Equipment's Required for Exploration
Topo sheet/Map of the study area
Site notebook
Mtr/cm. and scales
Camera
Pencils, Eraser, Pen
Carry Bag (cloth/paper/polythene)
Site card
Rope
Rucksack

6. Archaeological Exploration
Data Form
1. Name of the site, dist. And State
2. Location of the site (Longitude and Latitude)
3. Brief history of the archaeological site (Prehistoric, protohistoric, cave, mound etc.
4. Size & height of the site
5. Flora-fauna
6. Water body near site
7. Present situation of the site
8. Short description of the surface collection
9. Owner of the site
10. Name of the Explorer and date
11. Locat folk lore
12. And most important is Route and roads

7. Methods of Exploration
TRADITIONAL
Chance discovery
Site surface survey/Field walking
Literary account
Map reading
SCIENTIFIC
Ariel photography
Geophysical methods
Resistivity
Ground Penetrating radar
Magnetometry
Soil analysis
Sea bed survey

8. Chance discovery
Chance discoveries in archaeological exploration often play a
significant role in uncovering new information about the past. These
discoveries occur unexpectedly, often during routine excavation or
construction activities. Here are a few examples of chance discoveries in
archaeology:
Pompeii and Herculaneum
Tutankhamun's Tomb
The Terracotta Army: In 1974, farmers digging a well near Xi'an, China,
accidentally unearthed fragments of a terracotta statue.

9. Cont….
India, with its rich and diverse history, has witnessed several chance
discoveries in archaeological exploration that have shed light on its
ancient civilizations and cultures. Here are a few notable examples:
Indus Valley Civilization
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi
Ajanta and Ellora Caves: In the early 19th century, British officers John
Smith and his assistant discovered the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra
while on a hunting expedition.

10. Site surface survey
Site surface survey involves a simple walking over the surface of the site
observe and collect the visible material remains of the site.
It is a method of looking for artefacts on the ground from the ground.
Field walking in dry season when the cultivation is absent would provide good
amount of data on the site.
Archaeologist should make inquiry with the farmers, as they would have good
information about the earthworks and growth of vegetation pattern on the
site and its surroundings.

11. Cont….
Collecting potsherds helps to identify the cultural affinity of many sites
like pre-Harppan, Mature Harppan, BRW, BSW, PGW, NBPW, Iron age,
Early historic and Historic.
This method is the most cost - effective and it is still being followed in
archaeological investigation.

12. Literary account
Literary accounts play a crucial role in archaeological exploration in India by
providing valuable clues, references, and descriptions of historical sites, events,
and cultural practices. Here's how literary accounts contribute to archaeological
exploration in India:
Indica by Megasthenes: Megasthenes, wrote the book "Indica," which provides
one of the earliest literary accounts of ancient India. His descriptions helped
archaeologists identify and excavate sites associated with the Mauryan Empire,
such as Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).
Travel Accounts of Chinese Pilgrims: Accounts of Chinese pilgrims like Xuanzang
(7th century CE) and Faxian (4th century CE) provide valuable descriptions of
Indian society, religion, and pilgrimage sites during that period. These accounts
have guided archaeological exploration and excavation at sites such as Nalanda,
Sarnath, and Bodh Gaya, contributing to our understanding of ancient Buddhist
monastic complexes and religious practices.

13. Map reading
A map is a diagrammatic scaled symbolic representation of a segment of the
earth’s surface as viewed from above.
The archaeologist must have the basic knowledge of reading various maps.
There are several types of maps like: topographical map, hydrographic map,
soil map, river map, river map, historical map, political map and so on
published by the Survey of India.

14. James Prinsep map of Bunarus (Banaras),
1822
Hydrographic map

15. Cont….
In recent years, digital maps like Google map, Google earth, Wiki map, Maps
(iphone map) and many other specialized maps are launched on virtual map
platform.
These maps show elevation, vegetation, prominent, manmade constructions,
boundaries of section and natural features such as mountains and rivers.
These survey provide precise information on location and elevation, longitude,
latitude and distance.

17. Aerial Photography
Aerial photography is the earliest and perhaps still the most important
remote sensing tool available to archaeologist searching for new
archaeological sites.
This airborne method of survey is still being used for discovering new
sites and monitoring the known sites and landscapes. viz: one of the
first ever aerial photograph for archaeology was Stonehenge taken from
a balloon in 1906.
The application of aerial photography to archaeology was born in World
war I when an English pilot named O.G.S. Crawford observed, certain
peculiar features on the ground.

18. Ariel Photography

21. Crop marks are an important phenomenon in
archaeological exploration, particularly in regions where
archaeological sites are covered by vegetation or buried
beneath the earth. They occur due to differential growth
or stress in crops or vegetation caused by underlying
archaeological features or structures.
Crop mark

22. Crop mark
Crop mark

23. “Bosing" technique,
which is a method used
in archaeological
exploration for mapping
and documenting
archaeological features
or sites. Bosing involves
marking out the
boundaries or outlines
of an archaeological site
or feature on the ground

24. Resistivity
Resistivity survey is a
geophysical method
commonly used in
archaeological
exploration to detect and
map subsurface features
and structures without the
need for excavation. It
relies on measuring
variations in electrical
resistance within the
ground, which can be
indicative of buried
archaeological remains.

25. Ground-Penetrating Radar
(GPR)
Ground-penetrating radar
(GPR) is a geophysical
method widely used in
archaeological exploration.
It works by emitting high-
frequency electromagnetic
pulses into the ground and
measuring the reflected
signals, allowing
archaeologists to create
detailed images of the
subsurface without the need
for excavation.

26. Magnetometry
Magnetometry is a geophysical method commonly used in
archaeological exploration to detect and map subsurface
features and structures by measuring variations in the
magnetic properties of the soil.

27. Magnetometry

28. Theodolites
Theodolites are
precision instruments
used in surveying and
mapping, including
archaeological
exploration. Here's how
theodolites are used in
archaeological
exploration:
 Baseline
Measurement
 Topographic Mapping
 Excavation Planning
 Documentation of
Features

29. Conclusion
In conclusion, archaeological exploration relies on a diverse array
of methods and technologies to uncover and understand the
material remains of past human societies. From traditional
excavation techniques to advanced geophysical surveys, each
approach contributes to our understanding of ancient civilizations
and their cultural heritage. Through meticulous fieldwork, careful
analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration, archaeologists piece
together the puzzle of history, revealing the stories of forgotten
civilizations and shedding light on the origins of modern societies.