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Chapter 2: Tools of the Trade

Core Techniques in Practical Archaeology

Documentation

• Photograph artefacts in situ before removal.
• Record depth, soil conditions and surrounding features.
• Log finds with context numbers and field notes.

Reporting

• Submit significant finds to the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) or relevant authority.
• Include full documentation and site coordinates.
• Collaborate with archaeologists for further analysis.

Ethical Considerations

• Do not remove artefacts without proper recording.
• Avoid detecting in sensitive or protected areas.
• Treat all finds as part of a shared heritage, not personal collection.

Recommended Equipment

• VLF or PI metal detector, (depending on soil and target depth).
• GPS device or mapping app.
• Field notebook or digital logging tool.
• Flags or markers for signal locations.
• Gloves, trowel and finds bags.

Combined Use in Fieldwork

When used together, LiDAR, short for Light Detection and Ranging; is a remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances to the Earth’s surface. It’s especially valuable in archaeology because it can “see through” vegetation and generate highly detailed maps of terrain, even in forested or overgrown areas. LiDAR and metal detectors offer a complementary toolkit:

• LiDAR identifies subtle landscape features; mounds, ditches, ancient paths, especially under forest canopy.
• Metal detectors then target specific zones for artefact recovery, especially where LiDAR suggests human activity.

This dual approach has been used in:

• Maya lowlands: LiDAR revealed vast urban networks; metal detectors helped locate trade items.