new tools are aiding excavation of sites

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Archaeologists may be inspired by a lofty dream of a major discovery, but their days in the wild tend to be more bland: when they dig, they have to record with their hands the amount of detail they dig out in a tedious time
Consumption and errorprone process.
Now, an archaeologist combines advanced measurement tools with computer technology to design a faster and more accurate mapping system.
It not only enables researchers to record their findings carefully and easilyto-
Using forms can also free them from heavy work and give them more time to analyze the material.
This new method uses the built-in functions of the electronic photoelectric platform and instrument.
In the electronic distance meter, a surveying and mapping equipment used by the surveyor.
Photoelectric meter of 10-1
The pound instrument, which is about the size of the bread box, is particularly useful because it can measure a distance of less than 2mm to more than two kilometers.
It was previously used for archaeological survey areas and altitude.
First use on French website
Dible, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania, developed a new use of his medieval site measurement tool excavated in La Quina, France, in 1986 with the University of Bordeaux, the University of Arizona and the Quaternaire Institute at the University of Pennsylvania.
Before he used a photoelectric measuring instrument,
Dibble said that the team of archaeologists recorded 2,000 tools and bones in one season;
Next season they recorded 7,000 items with a photoelectric meter.
He said the instrument measured accurately within a few millimeters, reducing the entire field measurement time by 60%.
Compared with the traditional method of collecting and recording field observations, the photoelectric compass is an improvement because it can record almost immediately three
The dimensional coordinates of the object in the position where it is found.
The instrument simplifies a multi-step operation that used to take at least a minute, but now takes only five seconds.
The latest improvements even allowed researchers to bring up video images or photos of the actual excavation site and to see the exact location of the artifact placement.
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The researchers placed a small prism reflector in different positions on the object.
Construction of photoelectric measuring instruments-
In the electronic distance meter, it is possible to measure how far the object is by firing a laser into the center of the Prism and then measuring the time required for the beam to return to the photoelectric meter.
Then the measured values are calculated as X, Y, and Z coordinates, which accurately tells archaeologists that the object is in three-
Size grid of length, width and width.
The computer enables the data collected by the photoelectric meter to also be transmitted to a small computer together with the classification of objects, the formation and the initials of the excavator.
A small thermal printer on site will produce a label with this data on the label, wrapped in artifacts for analysis in the laboratory.
The system, which includes photoelectric measuring instruments, computers and accessories, costs about $19,000.
In addition to saving time, the system also improves morale and energy levels for excavatorsDibble said.
A new software program developed by the doctor further enhances the computerized system
Dibble for quick editing and retrieval of data.
The program displays colors graphically-
Artifacts encoded through various angles.
The site can be observed from any angle, top, bottom or side.
Individuals and combinations of objects or layers can be retrieved for observation. Dr.
Dibble says his program eliminates the time it takes to browse or re-browse on countless chart sheets
Draw points on them in order to isolate one type of workpiece or view several types of relationships.
Soon, he said, the database will contain photos of these objects and locations.
A version of this article was printed on page C00004 of the National edition on March 1, 1988, with the title: The new tool is helping to dig the website.