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Technology |
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| An important part of our research methodology involves the use of technology in the High Desert to collect and analyze data in the field. Obviously, the desert environment poses a number of challenges for high technology equipment. In addition to blowing sand, we also had to solve the problem of powering our equipment. | |
| One of the most essential technologies was GPS. We used two systems. One was a traditional, integrated GPS unit, and the other was a Compaq Ipaq Pocket-PC running ArcPad with a GPS receiver attached (shown on the right). The latter has the advantage of being able to take GIS layers into the field. In future seasons, we hope to use the latter to collect all of our survey data. We found that one solar panel can keep these units powered at all times. |
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| In addition to being able to GPS locations, we needed a more accurate system to install a survey grid, to make topographic maps, and to piece provenience artifacts. To do this, we purchased a weather resistant total station which we operated using an HP data collector and our own software. We powered the total station with a combination of its own internal battery, an external car battery, and a set of two solar panels. | |
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| In our field lab, we used two and sometimes three laptop computers powered by cigarette lighter adapters attached to car batteries (lower left in photo). We found that one battery could power our computers for nearly a day. | |
| You can read more about the technology we employed and the issues we faced in this SAA Archaeological Record publication. | |