ABSTRACT
Maps are fundamental to all phases of investigation, from project planning to spatial interpretation of findings. Maps are especially important in the field for tracking, orienteering, and documentation. The most commonly used maps are published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and are called “quad sheets”—short for quadrangle or four-sided maps. USGS has accomplished complete coverage of the U.S. in two detailed series: 1:62,500 and 1:24,000 scale maps. The scales represent the relationship between a measured map distance and a physical or real distance on the landscape. In the 1:62,500 maps, one inch on the map represents 62,500 inches real distance (about 1.0 mile). This, is a fairly coarse-grained map, and archaeologists prefer finer detail on natural and constructed features so the 1:24,000 (1 inch=0.38 mile) map is favored wherever it is available.
