Ketz's archaeology teams have worked outdoors in all weather including snow storms. Archaeologists like Ketz specialize in reconstructing history using physical objects from the past. These can range from the tiniest chip of an ancient weapon to fully-preserved pottery and glassware buried in your grandmother's garden. They may also include underwater artifacts which are studied by archaeologists who specialize in shipwrecks. Archaeologists are trained to recognize fragments from even the oldest artifacts and use these to describe past events or civilizations.
Every house sits on a potential site, as does every public building, every barn, and every factory.
It is not uncommon for modern-day construction sites to turn into archaeology projects if workers unexpectedly dig up intriguing objects that may have cultural significance. This happened during construction of the new Science Museum of Minnesota in 1997. After construction crews turned up curious objects, Ketz's archaeology team was called in to test the area for historic artifacts and make determinations about their findings. Public interest was tremendous, and media reports included radio and television throughout the U.S. and Canada. Traditional tools of the archaeologist start with books and maps since probable sites can often be identified through documentary and cartographic analysis.