5.11. Conclusion

Methods implemented in this research project were complicated by the fact that the 2003 season combined a regional survey, test excavation work, and recently developed geographical technology into a single project in a remote location. This chapter discussed data recording, sampling, lab analysis methods, together with methods for integrating digital data from these distinct steps. The integration of GPS and mobile GIS technology permitted feature recording at a scale that was impractical in archaeology until very recently. The project used adaptable archaeological feature recording methods that emphasize the recording of artifact clusters by expediently mapping areas of similar material types, debitage sizes, or ceramic types. Many of the specifics of these methods will rapidly become obsolete as digital methods develop, however the larger issues surrounding objective and subject data recording, and the relative benefits of the vector and raster data models for analysis, relate to larger questions linking method and theory that will be remain important issues for years to come.