Glossary
Accuracy |
The degree to which the result of a measurement or position conforms to the correct value or a standard. In surveying it is more correct to use the term precision as accuracy cannot be determined. |
Adjustment |
A mathematical process to calculate the position of survey points using measurements made between them. |
APS |
Acoustic Positioning System, a positioning system that can track vehicles underwater |
Artefact |
A Find, an object found on an archaeological Site |
Assessment survey |
An assessment survey is one that aims to get an estimate of the extents, layout and main features on a site |
Baseline |
A tape measure laid between two survey Control Points |
Baseline Offset |
See Offset |
Baseline Trilateration |
An incorrect term for the survey technique called Ties |
Bubble Level |
An instrument for accurately determining relative depths underwater, see Bubble Level |
Control / Detail Method |
3D trilateration that uses a Control Network, see 3D Trilateration |
Control Point |
A survey control point, a point used to make distance measurements from |
Drawing Frame |
A square or rectrangular grid used to make a scale drawing |
DSM |
A term used in maritime archaeology for 3D Trilateration |
Datum Point |
A term misused in archaeological survey work, similar to a Control point when used in an Everything network |
Detail Point |
A survey point placed on a feature or structure and used to position it using measurements made from Control Points |
Elevation |
A view of a Site from the side, showing heights or depths |
Everything network |
A network of survey points usually attached to objects and structure all measured in to one another. An obsolete method that should not be used, see Everything Network. |
Foreshore |
Foreshore archaeological sites are found in the Intertidal zone between land and sea |
Find |
An Artefact, an object found on an archaeological Site |
GNSS |
Global Navigation Satellite System, a terrestrial positioning system that uses satellites. A more correct term for GPS |
GPS |
Global Positioning System, more correctly termed GNSS |
Intertidal, Inter-tidal |
The zone between the land and the sea that is exposed at low tide |
Level of detail |
A number specifying how much detail is to be recorded on a site or on a drawing, such as any feature bigger than 300mm (1 ft.) or any feature bigger than 25mm (1 in.) |
MDT |
Minimum Detectable Target, the smallest Target that can be detected with a geophysical survey instrument |
Magnetometer |
An instrument for detecting iron and steel objects at long range |
MBES |
Multibeam Echo Sounder |
Metal Detector |
A pulse-induction metal detector, used to detect metal at short distances on land and underwater |
Monitoring survey |
A survey of small areas of a site designed to record any changes to the site over time |
Multibeam Echo Sounder |
An instrument that uses sound pulses to create 3D images of the seabed and shipwrecks |
Network |
A set of survey Control Points plus the measurements made to position them |
Offset |
A single distance measurement to a Detail Point made at 90 degrees to a tape measure baseline, see Offset |
Photogrammetry |
A survey method that uses photographs to determine the positions of objects and structure |
Photomosaic |
A set of photographic images taken on the same plane then joined together to make a single composite image, sometimes called a photomontage |
Planning Frame |
See Drawing Frame |
Processing, Post-Processing |
The task of taking measurements, notes and sketches and turning them into a site plan |
Project Design |
See Project Plan |
Project Plan |
The plan for how research, fieldwork and reporting will be completed on an archaeological Site |
Protractor |
A simple instrument for measuring angles |
Radial |
A distance measurement made at a known heading from a Control Point, see Radial |
Recording survey |
A highly accurate and detailed survey of a site used to record a site in detail or for recording during n excavation |
Site |
An archaeological site |
Site Plan |
A plan drawing of an archaeoloical site made on a computer or by hand on paper |
Survey Point |
A point used to make a measurement from or to, see Control Point and Detail Point |
Tie |
A pair of distance measurements made to a Detail Point at an angle from a tape measure baseline, see Ties |
Trilateration |
A survey technique using distance measurements, see Trilateration |
Triangulation |
A survey technique using angle measurements |
UTG |
Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge, used to measure the thickness of metal on iron and steel hulls |