Methods of Data Capture and Analysis

Abstract

The sophistication and quality of field data obtained from human tracksites has increased dramatically during the last decade from the largely descriptive papers of Holocene tracksites common before the late 1990s to the more sophisticated data-rich papers of recent years. There are exceptions of course to this generalisation largely around the tracks at Laetoli which drove early innovation in methods. In this chapter we review the methods and approaches that can be adopted at human tracksites and equip the interested researcher with the knowledge necessary to execute such investigations themselves given suitable excavation permits and permissions. We recognise four broad stages to the process each of which is considered in turn: (1) geo-prospection and excavation; (2) recognition of human tracks and their dating; (3) methods of digital data capture; and (4) methods of analysis.