A property inspection is conducted to evaluate archaeological potential based on environmental indicators, historical records, and previous assessments.

Field reconnaissance to locate artifacts is conducted by walking ploughed fields or digging test pits at regular intervals.

When sites are identified in Stage 2, Stage 3 work is undertaken to learn more about the size, age, integrity, and cultural history of a site by walking ploughed fields at smaller intervals and digging 1x1 metre test units to uncover a sample of artifacts and features.

When a site cannot be protected by leaving it undisturbed, a complete excavation is carried out to document the site, including all features, and artifacts.

A silica-rich sedimentary rock composed of microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline quartz. Chert can be quarried from thinly bedded layers or found as small cobbles dispersed by glacial and fluvial systems Chert is the primary material used for flaked tool manufacture and correctly identifying chert sources helps to reconstruct trade networks and the movement of past peoples.

The small pieces of stone debris that are flaked off during the manufacturing of stone tools. Debitage, also called flakes, is often the most common artifact type found on Indigenous sites.

Animal remains at an archaeological site, such as bone, shell, antler and scales.

Tools manufactured by flaking lithic materials. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes which can help archaeologists identify the date and function of a site. Common tool forms include projectile points, scrapers, drills, and knives.

A wooden or staked fence built to protect villages and provide shelter from environmental conditions.

An area used for extended periods to dispose of waste materials. Middens are artifact-rich and provide valuable information about the lives of the people who used it.

The stain left in the ground where wooden posts were inserted during the building of structures, and either rotted away, were burnt, or were removed and the hole was filled in.

Turtle-shaped structures built partially into the ground which were used for a variety of purposes, including ceremonial, hygienic, and social functions.

Archaeologists excavate sites in layers using the knowledge that soil layers are older the deeper they get. The two most common layers are topsoil and subsoil. Topsoil is the upper layer of soil that contains a lot of organic matter, including growing and decomposing vegetation, and microorganisms. Subsoil is the bottom-most layer that archaeologists excavate, it is much older than topsoil, contains very little organic matter, and represents a time before human activity occurred on site.