The Archaeological Research Process

1. Research Questions: All scientific research begins with asking good questions. These research questions guide where and how archaeologists excavate.
2. Background Research/Survey: Archaeologists do a lot of background research about previous excavations in their study area. This helps them understand what information still needs to be gathered. Then they walk the land and map the sites that they find. This kind of survey helps them choose a site that will answer their specific research questions.
3. Excavation: Archaeological excavation requires digging in a precise way using scientific methods. Excavation may take a few weeks or a few years, depending on the research questions that are being asked.
4. Laboratory Analysis: The artifacts and samples collected from the excavation go to the research laboratory to be studied. There is a lot of information to be learned from the careful study of artifacts and samples.
5. Published Report: It is very important to share the results of field and laboratory research with other archaeologists and the public through published reports.
6. Curation: All the materials and data collected during the research process (including the maps, photographs, artifacts, and notes) are stored and protected for future generations. This step is called curation. Museums perform this important function.