GPS and Topographical Surveys
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) allows accurate navigation, positioning and recording of features which are very useful for archaeology. A GPS instrument uses a series of satellites and base stations to provide accurate sub-metre locations.
GPS surveys can be used to set-out pre-designed test trenches or area excavations as well as mapping the location of field boundaries, buildings etc. Natural and built heritage mapping can also be achieved as well as the recording of excavated features such as open test trenches and excavation areas.
|
Topographical surveys within archaeology are an effective method of recording the extent and shape of archaeological features. The technique accurately records earthen monuments by record, where the topography, if appreciable, can be mapped, often prior to excavation. This record aids landscape understanding and future archaeological interpretations. Discrete, potentially unrecorded features with a low topographical profile, such as barrows, can also be revealed. Buried archaeological remains and changes in elevation can also be mapped. 
Datasets such as aerial photographs, construction and excavation layouts can be overlaid upon topographical data, aiding understanding of the landscape. Geophysical and Geochemical data can also be overlaid upon topographical data, providing an interactive element between topographical and geophysical anomalies.