Grain, extent, and intensity: The components of scale in archaeological survey

Abstract

Archaeological entities, processes and explanations are bound by metaphysical concepts of time and space. So we may expect chronological and spatial revisions to be followed by profound disciplinary consequences. But, the very great importance of time and space measurement scales has often led the archaeologist to confuse the scales used for measurement with that which is being measured. (Clarke, 1973:13) Most [archaeologists] must content themselves with finding some percentage of the sites in their chosen regions - all the major ceremonial centers, perhaps most of the larger villages, and some undetermined fraction of the tiny hamlets and seasonal camps. If you ask them whether or not they have an adequate sample, either they say ''I hope so,'' or they shrug and say ''I don't know.'' Both answers are correct. They do hope so, and they don't know. (Flannery, 1976:131-132). © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.