Introduction
Toofortii, presumably the original inhabitants of the area under the map, had interesting social lives and survival techniques. Therefore, this research proposal aims at establishing various evidences of cultural practices of the Toofortii, and how culture influenced their behavior and ways of life. In this regard, archaeological study of the Toofortii people will entail critical analysis of all the information that the research study can acquire. Apparently, the research problem that will be the basis of this study is that the Toofortii civilization has been ignored for a long time, and their significance in current settlements in the area has not yet been established. Moreover, the research study will establish an area of interest where there seems to be plenty of ethnographic evidence, and then excavate the area to clarify facts.
Present excavations have shown that boats, antlers and stone have been found, justifying the oral tradition findings about hunting, gathering and fishing. Also, it is evident that cultural practices have remained unaltered for over 100 years, and the ordeal raises interests for studying ethnographical practices of Toofortii. Therefore, the research study will set out to collect physical artefacts such as fishing lines, as well as hunting and gathering tools. Apparently, physical evidence to have likely survived the challenge of time include hunting and gathering tools in Mactopia area, as well as garments and other material likely preserved in oil pits or corals. Evidence preserved as fossils are likely to be found in Halibut pass.
Furthermore, the research will be guided by well-formulated research questions, which will include,
What were the major occupations that Toofortii people engaged themselves or their immediate neighbors?
What were the major cultural beliefs and practices that were specific to the Toofortii?
Principally, the ethnographic study puts more emphasis in an area where high levels of activities have been stipulated (LeCompte, Margaret, and Schedule 84).
Research Design and Methodology
The research study will make use of qualitative research design through the survey of various archaeological constructs, but assuming a mainstream descriptive research design approach. The descriptive design is ideal for establishing archaeological artifacts that have been passed down generations, and also, establish reputable information that can pave the way for further studies, such as archeological studies (Spector 67). The area around clam flats, Mactopia, and Halibut pass seem to have had the most concentrated center of the action. Therefore, sections of Mactopia and clam flats will be subdivided into grids, and the area cleared for excavation practices. In each section, the topsoil will be removed to reveal any evidence of settlements, and how the artefacts found will dictate how they behaved. Moreover, the scrapped area will be photographed, and other physical evidence collected. Afterwards, the area excavated will be leveled again. Photographs form hard evidence from excavation (Philip 22)
Furthermore, information and artefacts will be recovered through carbon dating, recording, as well as X-Ray Fluorescence, to gauge the location of artefacts for excavation (Droop 71). Lastly, data collected will be analysed through neutron activation, to establish age and likely usage of a particular artefact excavated. However, in order to determine the scale of events such as fishing, hunting and gathering will be done by way of oral interviews. However, various challenges are likely to be faced in the field, such as policy restrictions, and probable hostility from the locals. In order to evade these problems, liaising with a community official will be ideal.
Therefore, the research study is expected to uncover physical and oral evidence, suitable for stipulating facts about the Toofortii people. For instance, artefacts excavated from clam flats and Mactopia will be carbon dated to establish the fact that their settlements have existed in the area for over a hundred years. Moreover, areas rich in oil, are likely to host fossil records (Droop 30), which will help to establish the hunting, gathering and fishing activities practice by the Toofortii people.
Works Cited.
Spector, Paul E. Research Designs. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications, 1981. Print.
Barker, Philip. Techniques of Archaeological Excavation. New York: Universe Books, 1977. Print
Droop, J P. Archaeological Excavation Cambridge: University Press, 1915. Print.
