Field Methodology

Abstract

This chapter describes the field methodology used by the Helmand Sistan Project. Conducted in the 1970s, at the early moments of the New Archaeology in North America, our survey and excavation techniques were a mix of traditional and newer methods. With the contract to cover an area of 40,000 square km, the project was selective in its work, largely focusing on the area of the Sar-o-Tar basin east of the Helmand River delta. Difficulties in doing survey work included the extreme weather, extensive beds of sand dunes, modern development, the extensive damage to sites done by Sistani winds, and the difficulty in defining a site in the forest of ancient remains. The 11 excavations conducted ranged from clearance of sand from standing buildings, to more stratigraphic excavations, to vertical trenches through two large stratified mounds. Materials collected for analysis were kept in Afghanistan and are largely lost after 40 years of warfare. Objects photographed and described in the field included coins, inscriptions, ceramics, and other objects that will be described in volume 2 of these reports. Absolute dating methods included coins, inscriptions, and radiocarbon dates from 10 different sites. Relative dates were based on brick size, ceramics, and other objects found.