Survey and Finds Recording 

Artefacts being recorded: the prism reflects an infrared beam shot from the Total Station, which in turn records the position of the artefact with extremely high precision
The distribution of artefacts in undisturbed deposits provides us with extremely important information concerning activities that were undertaken on the site. It is therefore essential that archaeologists record the position of each artefact with as much precision as possible. For many years, all measurement of artefacts was done by tape measures and plumb bobs; this was time-consuming, and still involved some error. Surveying equipment widely used by the construction industry, such as the Total Station, has provided an efficient and extremely accurate alternative.

The Total Station operates by having its precise location—its elevation, and its x and y co-ordinates—programmed into the device. Once the device has its position recorded, it is able to work out the location of all points measured by the Total Station. The measurement of points is done by firing an infrared beam from the device to a prism, which is placed over an artefact. This beam is reflected back to the device, and the computer in the Total Station then works out its
precise situation in relation to the instrument by calculations concerning the angle of reflected beam, and the time it takes for the reflection to occur. Each artefact recorded in this manner is given an unique number, and through the measurement, it acquires unique x, y, and z co-ordinate values. This permits the archaeologists to reconstruct the location of each artefact with extreme precision once the excavation is complete. With this sort of information, it is possible to identify specific areas of activity on a site, and even to put artefacts back together through lithic refitting.