Q.1 What is the primary purpose of a site survey in archaeology?
To excavate artifacts immediately
To identify and record archaeological sites
To reconstruct ancient buildings
To perform chemical analysis of soil
Explanation - Site surveys help archaeologists locate, document, and map potential archaeological sites before any excavation takes place.
Correct answer is: To identify and record archaeological sites
Q.2 Which method involves walking systematically across a landscape to identify archaeological remains?
Aerial photography
Fieldwalking
Geophysical survey
Excavation
Explanation - Fieldwalking is a survey technique where archaeologists walk in a grid across a site to find surface artifacts and features.
Correct answer is: Fieldwalking
Q.3 Remote sensing in archaeology is primarily used for:
Excavating deep layers
Detecting sites without disturbing them
Dating artifacts
Analyzing human remains
Explanation - Remote sensing uses technologies like aerial photography, LiDAR, or satellite imagery to identify potential sites without excavation.
Correct answer is: Detecting sites without disturbing them
Q.4 Which tool is commonly used to measure precise elevations during a site survey?
Trowel
Theodolite
Brush
Shovel
Explanation - A theodolite is an instrument used to measure horizontal and vertical angles, essential for mapping archaeological sites accurately.
Correct answer is: Theodolite
Q.5 What is the significance of a topographic survey in archaeology?
It excavates artifacts layer by layer
It documents the landscape and site features
It chemically analyzes soil
It dates pottery and tools
Explanation - Topographic surveys record the terrain, elevations, and visible features, helping understand how the site fits into its landscape.
Correct answer is: It documents the landscape and site features
Q.6 Which geophysical method uses magnets to detect buried archaeological features?
Magnetometry
Ground-penetrating radar
Resistivity survey
Drone photography
Explanation - Magnetometry detects subtle variations in the earth's magnetic field caused by buried archaeological structures or features.
Correct answer is: Magnetometry
Q.7 Aerial photography in site survey is useful because it:
Provides immediate excavation results
Reveals large-scale site patterns and features
Determines the age of artifacts
Identifies chemical composition of soils
Explanation - Aerial images allow archaeologists to see crop marks, soil marks, and other features not visible at ground level.
Correct answer is: Reveals large-scale site patterns and features
Q.8 What is the role of a GPS in archaeological site survey?
Mapping artifact locations accurately
Excavating deep trenches
Dating organic remains
Cleaning artifacts
Explanation - GPS devices help record precise coordinates of artifacts and site features for documentation and analysis.
Correct answer is: Mapping artifact locations accurately
Q.9 Which type of survey is most suitable for identifying subsurface archaeological features?
Fieldwalking
Geophysical survey
Aerial photography
Oral history survey
Explanation - Geophysical surveys, such as magnetometry or resistivity, detect buried features without excavation.
Correct answer is: Geophysical survey
Q.10 Why is a stratigraphic survey important in archaeology?
It identifies site boundaries
It records layers of occupation and deposition
It removes surface vegetation
It dates artifacts using carbon
Explanation - Stratigraphy helps archaeologists understand the sequence of human activity at a site by studying soil layers.
Correct answer is: It records layers of occupation and deposition
Q.11 Which survey method uses electrical currents to detect buried structures?
Resistivity survey
Magnetometry
Fieldwalking
LiDAR
Explanation - Resistivity surveys measure the electrical resistance of soils to locate buried archaeological features.
Correct answer is: Resistivity survey
Q.12 Which of the following best defines a site plan in archaeology?
A map showing excavation layers and artifacts
A historical narrative of the site
A chemical analysis report
A topographic sketch without measurements
Explanation - A site plan documents the exact positions of artifacts and features uncovered during excavation.
Correct answer is: A map showing excavation layers and artifacts
Q.13 LiDAR technology in archaeology is particularly effective for:
Detecting surface pottery
Mapping forested landscapes and hidden structures
Dating organic remains
Excavating artifacts
Explanation - LiDAR uses laser pulses to penetrate vegetation, revealing terrain and archaeological features otherwise hidden.
Correct answer is: Mapping forested landscapes and hidden structures
Q.14 Which factor is crucial when selecting a survey method for a site?
Site type, size, and research goals
Excavation depth only
Artifact color
Number of tourists
Explanation - The choice of survey method depends on the landscape, the site's extent, and the specific research questions.
Correct answer is: Site type, size, and research goals
Q.15 Which is a non-invasive method of site survey?
Excavation
Geophysical survey
Test trenching
Soil coring
Explanation - Non-invasive surveys detect subsurface features without disturbing the site, unlike excavation or trenching.
Correct answer is: Geophysical survey
Q.16 Soil coring in archaeological surveys is mainly used to:
Excavate large artifacts
Analyze stratigraphy and obtain samples
Map surface pottery
Clean artifacts
Explanation - Soil coring extracts small cylindrical samples to study soil layers and environmental conditions.
Correct answer is: Analyze stratigraphy and obtain samples
Q.17 Which type of survey is ideal for identifying patterns over large landscapes?
Regional survey
Test trenching
Excavation unit survey
Laboratory analysis
Explanation - Regional surveys study broader areas to locate and map multiple sites and understand settlement patterns.
Correct answer is: Regional survey
Q.18 Crop marks visible from the air indicate:
Differences in soil and buried features
The site is unsuitable for excavation
Recent farming activities only
That artifacts are on the surface
Explanation - Crop growth varies over buried structures, revealing outlines that are visible from aerial surveys.
Correct answer is: Differences in soil and buried features
Q.19 Why is documentation an essential part of site survey?
It ensures accurate records of findings for future research
It replaces excavation
It allows immediate public display of artifacts
It provides soil fertility data
Explanation - Recording site data, including maps, photos, and notes, preserves information for analysis and interpretation.
Correct answer is: It ensures accurate records of findings for future research
Q.20 Which factor can limit the effectiveness of fieldwalking?
Dense vegetation or plowed fields
The presence of stone structures
Sunlight intensity
Seasonal rainfall
Explanation - Obstructions like vegetation or uneven surfaces make it difficult to locate surface artifacts.
Correct answer is: Dense vegetation or plowed fields
Q.21 Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) works by:
Sending radio waves into the ground and recording echoes
Measuring magnetic anomalies
Tracking soil moisture
Analyzing chemical composition of soil
Explanation - GPR detects buried features by reflecting radio waves off subsurface structures, creating images of what's below.
Correct answer is: Sending radio waves into the ground and recording echoes
Q.22 Which type of survey is most cost-effective for preliminary exploration?
Fieldwalking
LiDAR
Resistivity survey
Excavation
Explanation - Fieldwalking is inexpensive and simple, making it suitable for initial site identification before more advanced surveys.
Correct answer is: Fieldwalking
Q.23 Which is NOT a common objective of archaeological site survey?
Identifying new sites
Mapping site features
Excavating all artifacts immediately
Analyzing landscape patterns
Explanation - Site surveys aim to locate, record, and analyze sites; excavation is a separate process done later.
Correct answer is: Excavating all artifacts immediately
Q.24 Which survey technique can reveal buried walls or ditches in urban areas?
Resistivity and magnetometry surveys
Fieldwalking
Aerial crop marks
LiDAR in forests
Explanation - Urban subsurface features are best detected using geophysical surveys that measure soil resistance or magnetic anomalies.
Correct answer is: Resistivity and magnetometry surveys