Visibility of Archaeological Record on the Surface

Abstract

When using archaeological surface survey method, be it for purposes of archaeological landscape research or archaeological resource evaluation, understanding visibility of archaeological record on the surface and factors affecting it is of crucial importance. Surface visibility must always be considered on multiple levels and five of these can readily be defined: (1) Visibility determined by geomorphic, pedogenic and other post-depositional formation processes. (2) Visibility determined by the nature of the archaeological record. (3) Visibility determined by techniques and strategies of the survey method. (4) Visibility determined by surface and other environmental conditions during the survey. (5) Visibility determined by the human factor. Without considering these levels and using methodological procedures designed to control their effects on survey accuracy, any analysis and interpretation of survey results is at risk of being seriously erroneous and invalid. Furthermore, we should always bear in mind that surface survey is only capable of detecting disturbed and exposed archaeological record in the landscape. We are thus always dealing with incomplete distributions which primarily speak about landscape taphonomy and its effects on preservation, visibility and integrity of archaeological record in the landscape.