How do archaeological sites become covered?
Dr. Kay Sunahara, an anthropological archaeologist at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, says there are two main processes by which sites become covered over time. One process is natural site transformation, and the other is cultural site transformation. The natural transformation process includes elements such as wind, water, weather, volcanoes, and even animals that can change the landscape by burrowing and digging. The cultural transformation process is related to human activity. People choose to live on the same sites and over time, this can result in newer buildings being built on top of much older building foundations. Other human influences include burial and mortuary traditions, building abandonment and warfare, which can all change the landscape, creating an archaeological record.