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Chapter 3: The Total Station

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One of the most essential pieces of equipment used in the excavations at Pech IV is a total station. The Total Station Basically, a total station combines the angle (vertical and horizontal) measuring capabilities of a survey instrument called a theodolite with the distance measuring ability of an electronic distance meter (EDM). This allows for pinpoint accuracy (called point proveniencing) in determining the spatial position of an artifact or an animal bone in the sediments of the site. It can also be used to map in features such as hearths and the boundaries of different geological sediments in the site or to create a topographic map of the site and its relationship to the surrounding landscape. The coordinates (or X, Y, and Z points) of the object or feature are stored in the total station memory or can be transferred to an external data collector. When the day's work is finished, the data are transferred to a larger computer and, along with other coordinates, are used to make maps of the site and its cultural materials and natural features.


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