I thought I would start this article at the very beginning. It has occurred to me that it might be helpful to explain just what archaeology is and how it is conducted. When we think of archaeology, we usually conjure up pictures of sweating people digging in the dirt. Well, this is a part of it and an important part of it, but there is much more that occurs before this happens. I will not attempt to give a complete course on archaeology but will try to give some understanding to the process.
Initial surveys come in various forms.
There have been times when discoveries came to light by clandestine means. At other times there are details in scripture that lead to a search for entire cities, places or items mentioned. Still, there are tell tale signs that indicate that there is something to be found in a certain location. Often there is a more obvious location. Ruins will give a great deal of information as to where there were peoples of the past.