Missing the Point:
A Consideration of Survey Strategies in Small Sites Archaeology


Ian T. Kenyon and Paul A. Lennox
Ontario Heritage Foundation and Ministry of Transportation, respectively
Toronto, Ontario

Abstract: Small archaeological sites are sometimes described as "lithic 
scatters" and are often considered to be of  little significance. This 
paper examines the basis for these judgments through a look at the survey 
strategies employed (typically shovel testing and surface examination), 
the likelihood of discovering "lithic scatters" of certain sizes and 
densities using these techniques and the implications of our judgments 
about significance. We feel that there is an inherent bias against the 
discovery of certain site types built into our field methods and, 
understanding these biases, will help us to make better judgments in the 
future.