I notice that with these guidelines the artifacts indicated by the metal
detector search are excavated and recovered.
I use metal detectors as part of non intrusive survey techniques to help
locate sites or determine the spread of buried artifacts across a site. The
methods of actually using the machines is similar except I don't do it to
dig up finds but use the machines to determine the relative density and
extent of buried material deposits.
gaye
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rich
Green
Sent: Tuesday, 22 June 2010 8:39 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: metal detecting guidelines
You can look here for general guidelines that have been used successfully
for nearly two decades: http://www.har-indy.com/Methods.html The author's
technical background and education is in RF engineering including 35 years
experience with metal detecting devices, 10 of which were as a factory
authorized service center for four major metal detector manufacturers.
Since 1993, these methods of metal detection have been employed and
empirically refined in archaeological reconnaissance on many different
historic period sites and under variable field conditions.
Apologies for the short pedigree; however, it is important I think to
understand that these procedures are tried and proven over time and have
been carried out by individuals and teams with the knowledge and experience
to do so. http://www.har-indy.com/page4.html
The selection of appropriate metal detection equipment process has continued
to evolve, like most modern technology, as instruments with superior
performance come on the market every few years. However, most of these
truly innovative types of metal detectors have been designed for specific
purposes such as detecting minute placer gold in heavily mineralized ground
conditions. While these kinds of instruments do perform at a higher level,
they are typically much more expensive, require more time to master and more
skill to operate. Midrange VLF metal detectors on the market today still
perform much as they did 20 years ago and are more than adequate for
archaeological reconnaissance in the hands of trained operators under most
field conditions encountered in North America.
In my opinion, the experience/knowledge and skill of the operator is as
important as the performance of a given type metal detector. The 2-2-90
method of metal detection tends to integrate and reduce the differential in
operator competence, is very thorough and simultaneously takes advantage of
metal detecting instruments that are designed with complimentary performance
characteristics. The newer type multi-frequency detectors are accounted for
in this system as well.
Hope this helps some. Please feel free to write me directly if I can answer
any further questions or be of any assistance.
Regards,
Rich Green
Historic Archaeological Research
4338 Hadley Court
West Lafayette, IN 47906
Office: (765) 464-8735
Mobile: (765) 427-4082
www.har-indy.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Pomfret, Jim" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 7:21 AM
Subject: metal detecting guidelines
Dear Colleagues,
We are developing draft guidelines for archaeological metal detecting.
These guidelines will apply to archaeological investigations under Section
106 and similar work. Do any of you have or know of established guidelines
for the use of metal detectors on archaeological sites? Specifically, we
are focusing on: (A) metal detecting methods used to locate sites, delineate
site boundaries, and investigate the internal structure of sites and (B)
what level of sampling is appropriate during different phases of
investigation. If anyone has worked with metal detecting guidelines and has
learned some lessons first hand, we would like to hear those as well. Any
information you could share is appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim Pomfret
Archaeology Team Leader
Georgia Department of Transportation
Office of Environmental Services
600 West Peachtree Street, NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: 404.631.1256
Cell: 404.797.6322
Fax: 404.631.1916
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