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Detection Functions for Archaeological Survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

E. B. Banning ,
A. L. Hawkins  and
S. T. Stewart
E. B. Banning
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G3 ([email protected])
A. L. Hawkins
Affiliation:
Anthropology Unit, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Rd., Sudbury, Ontario, Canada P3E 2C6 ([email protected])
S. T. Stewart
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G3 ([email protected])
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Abstract

This paper presents the results of several experiments to investigate how the detection functions of surveyors vary for different artifact types on surfaces with differing visibility when visual surface inspection (“fieldwalking”) is the survey method. As prospecting theory predicts, successful detection declines exponentially with distance away from transects and detection as a function of search time displays diminishing returns. However, these functions vary by visibility, artifact type, and other factors. The incidence of false targets–incorrect identifications of artifacts–has somewhat more impact at greater range but has little or no relationship with search time. Our results provide a rationale for selection of transect intervals and distribution of survey effort, and also facilitate evaluation of survey results, allowing more realistic estimates of how much a survey missed.

Résumé

Résumé

Este articulo describe los resultados obtenidos a través de varios experimentos destinados a investigar cómo la deteccidn de distintos tipos de material arqueológico es afectada por la visibilidad del terreno durante prospecciones superficiales. Tal como predice la teoría, la correcta detección de material disminuye de forma exponencial cuanto mayor es la distancia de los transectos y la relación entre la detección y el tiempo de búsqueda no es linear. Sin embargo, estos resultados son alterados por la visibilidad, el tipo de material, y otros factores. La incidencia de falsos objetivos–artefactos identificados erróneamente–es mayor con distancia pew apenas se ve afectada por el tiempo de búsqueda o rastreo. Los resultados sugieren ciertas estrategias para elegir la óptima distancia que separa los transectos, la organización del esfuerzo a la hora de prospectar y proporciona estimaciones más realistas sobre la eficacia de las prospecciones superficiales.

Type
Articles
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 71 , Issue 4 , October 2006 , pp. 723 - 742
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 2006

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