How are most archaeological sites discovered?

Question

How are most archaeological sites discovered?

Answer 1

One site I worked was described as "A good place to camp is a good place to camp." That is a prehistoric hunting camp was replaced with the historic hunting camp and then by a state campground. The location had so many advantages that it's been in use for centuries.

Most developments require an archaeological survey before building. Often evidence of habitation appears and a decision must be made to preserve or build.

You can survey an area by topographic map, looking for south facing exposure and closeness to water. One underwater site was discovered by using a map of the sea bottom and dredging.

Pot hunters find lots of sites. Normally they leave holes and destruction that people notice and report.

Finally there's simply digging something up or tripping over it. Kenniwick Man was discovered when two young men wanted to avoid paying an entrance fee and tried to wade around the stand.

Answer 2

By accident...

Often digging for some other reason!

Answer 3

icabod's answer is accurate.  I just wanted to add that most sites - the world over - are and have been historically discovered by avocational archaeologists (ranging from talented volunteers to looters).  In the developed world, private consultants conducting surveys for developers or surveys funded by state and federal agencies have begun to catch-up to the avocationals, and state societies which bring avocationals and professionals together have also allowed avocationals to get more directly involved in reporting and publishing sites they have discovered and investigated.

Bottom line is that we owe a great debt of knowledge to those who have, sometimes out of nothing more than curiosity, found and reported sites without any hope of tangible reward for their service.