1 What is landscape archaeology?

Landscape archaeology is an interdisciplinary approach that combines archaeological methods, such as survey, mapping, remote sensing, and excavation, with other sources of evidence, such as historical documents, oral traditions, ethnography, and environmental data. Landscape archaeologists aim to reconstruct the past landscapes that shaped and were shaped by human actions, and to understand how people perceived, used, and transformed their surroundings. Landscape archaeology can reveal the long-term changes and continuities in land use, settlement patterns, social organization, ideology, and identity.

2 Why is landscape archaeology important for preserving historic sites?

Landscape archaeology can help preserve historic sites by providing a holistic and contextualized perspective on their value and meaning. Historic sites are not isolated entities, but part of larger networks and systems that reflect the interactions between people and places over time. Landscape archaeology can help identify, document, and interpret the features and processes that connect and differentiate historic sites, such as roads, canals, boundaries, water sources, vegetation, soil, climate, and natural disasters. Landscape archaeology can also help understand the intangible aspects of historic sites, such as their symbolic, ritual, aesthetic, and emotional significance for different groups and individuals.

3 How does landscape archaeology work in practice?

Landscape archaeology involves a range of techniques and tools that vary depending on the research questions, the available data, and the specific characteristics of the study area. Generally, it involves defining the scope and scale of the study area based on the spatial and temporal boundaries of the research topic, collecting and integrating different types of data from various sources, such as archives, fieldwork, aerial photography, satellite imagery, GIS, and GPS. Then comes the analysis and interpretation of the data using theoretical frameworks and models such as landscape ecology, cultural geography, phenomenology, and post-processual archaeology. Finally, communicating and disseminating the results through various media and formats is necessary to reach different audiences and stakeholders.

4 What are some examples of landscape archaeology projects?

Landscape archaeology has been applied to a wide range of periods in human history, from prehistoric to modern times. For instance, the Stonehenge Riverside Project examined the landscape context of Stonehenge and its associated monuments in England, and explored their social and cosmological significance for Neolithic and Bronze Age communities. The Valley of the Kings Project mapped and surveyed the landscape of the royal necropolis in Egypt, assessing its geological, hydrological, and cultural factors. The Caribbean Landscape Project studied landscape transformations and cultural interactions in the Caribbean islands from pre-Columbian to colonial periods, analyzing their impacts on the environment and heritage. Lastly, the Monticello Plantation Landscape Project reconstructed Thomas Jefferson's plantation in Virginia, investigating its economic, political, and social dimensions as well as the lives of those who worked and lived there.

5 How can you learn more about landscape archaeology?

If you are interested in learning more about landscape archaeology, there are several ways to do so. You can read books and articles such as Landscape Archaeology: Reading and Interpreting the American Historical Landscape by Rebecca Yamin and Karen Bescherer Metheny, or The Oxford Handbook of Historical Ecology and Applied Archaeology edited by Christian Isendahl and Daryl Stump. Additionally, you can take courses or workshops offered by universities, museums, or professional organizations like the Landscape Archaeology MA program at the University of York, or the Landscape Archaeology Field School at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. You can also visit or volunteer at landscape archaeology sites or projects to see the methods and results of landscape archaeology in action, such as the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site in England, or the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Finally, you can join or follow landscape archaeology groups or networks to interact with other enthusiasts and experts, and stay updated on the latest news and events like the Association of Landscape Archaeology, or the Landscape Archaeology Research Group on Facebook.