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What is exploration? Explain based on what criterions the sites are selected for exploration

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13 views

What is exploration? Explain based on what criterions the sites are selected for exploration

Uploaded by

Olivia Ray
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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What is exploration? Explain based on what criterions the sites are selected for exploration.

Exploration, according to archaeology, involves the process of investigating archaeological or


geographical sites to get historical, cultural, or natural significance. The process involves
identifying, surveying, analyzing, and studying new archaeological sites. This involves
methods that are aimed at discovering artefacts, ecofacts, and geological formations to
understand past human activity and how they lived during that period.

The first process of discovering and analyzing new information about an area or a site is
known as Exploration. In archaeology, exploration involves the surveying of the site to locate
and find artefacts, ecofacts, and structures that can provide information about human history.
To get information about past humans, there are certain scientific methods, historical analysis
and geographical mapping. The main purpose of the exploration process is to gather data,
which will help researchers to create a detailed report.

Criteria for Selecting Exploration Sites:

For selecting a site for exploration, there are several essential criteria, which include
historical records, geographical features, availability of resources, environmental conditions,
and local cultural knowledge.

Historical and Literary Sources

Information from historical texts, literary records, and archival materials often provides some
information for the selection of sites for exploration. By reviewing manuscripts, records,
inscriptions, maps, or trade routes, one can find valuable clues about the presence of past
civilizations, landmarks, and significant cultural sites. The documents also provide the
importance of toponyms, which mean the study of a place name and its meaning, as it
provides a clue for a site.

Geographical and Geological Features:

Understanding the geography of the area is important for exploration. Exploration often starts
with the study of a map, which provides information regarding the physical features of the
area. It is seen that sites are often selected based on their proximity to nature, like rivers,
fertile lands, caves, and mountains. These places are often the first choice for past humans to
settle down, and traces of human activity are found around these places. Ancient people often
settled around water sources as it also used to serve as a transport route or in areas that were
protected by nature. Many sites of human activity and archaeological deposits back this
claim.

Ecological and Environmental Considerations:

The natural environment, which includes the flora and fauna of the region, is another factor
that helps in selecting a site. Areas that are rich in vegetation or those which has certain types
of plants indicate long-term human habitation. The presence of animals also shows that the
land was used for hunting or herding, which could mean that there was a settlement of
ancient civilization.

Surface Artefacts and Ecofacts


Exploration, which takes place at the surface level, helps in the identification of areas that are
rich in artefacts or ecofacts. During the initial survey, researchers may find objects made by
humans, like pottery, stone tools, metal artefacts. Ecofacts are also found in the exploration
site, which includes bones, charcoal, and seeds, which shows that humans inhabited the site
as these materials are associated with human activity.

On-foot surveys are one of the most important ways to identify materials and gain an initial
understanding of the area. This process provides knowledge of inspection, which helps in
understanding whether the site holds any important information or not.

Magnetic and Seismic Surveys

The seismic techniques, which include magnetic and seismic surveys, play an important role
in modern exploration. The detection of disturbances in the earth’s magnetic field, which was
caused due to human activity of the past, can be done through Magnetic surveys. On the other
hand, Seismic surveys can measure how the sound waves travel through the ground, this
helps in identifying underground structures. Both of these methods can detect the presence of
buried artefacts or structures without the need to dig the ground. These advanced techniques
are useful in understanding and assessing sites with no visible artefacts.

Local Knowledge and Oral Histories

To gain information about the site, it is important to interact with the local communities and
gather information from the local authorities and elders. The oral histories and folklore that
the local communities follow contain information about historical events, settlements, or
monuments that are often not documented in the written records. The local knowledge that is
gathered from the communities can guide researchers to forgotten sites.

Creating a good relationship with the local communities is important for various logistical
reasons, such as having access to restricted areas or gaining permission for exploration. Also,
respecting the local customs and working hours helps in gaining cooperation, especially in
areas where outsiders are not easily welcomed.

Remote Sensing and Aerial Photography

Remote sensing technologies, like satellite imagery or drones, are used extensively in
explorations. These tools help researchers detect surface features, such as ancient roads,
foundations of buildings, and settlement areas without causing disturbance in the surrounding
areas. Remote sensing is important in areas where it is very difficult to access or where on-
foot surveys are not possible.

Aerial photography and photogrammetry, on the other hand, are used to create 3D models of
the terrain and structures, which provides detailed visual data that helps in the site selection.
It also helps researchers to quickly scan large areas for any signs of past human activity, like
mounds or unnatural depressions.

Legal and Environmental Considerations

Researchers before selecting a site for exploration, need to make sure that they have the
proper legal right to conduct fieldwork in the area. This may involve obtaining permits from
local and national authorities if the site is protected or on private land. Also, explorers, as
well as researchers, need to be mindful of the environmental restrictions that can restrict
activities in certain areas due to the endangered flora and fauna.

Exploration is a complex process that involves the use of both traditional techniques and
modern technologies to discover and assess new sites. These criteria play an important role in
selecting a site, and by following these criteria, researchers make informed decisions.

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