Before the Dig
Archaeologists are not treasure hunters, but detectives who want to find answers to riddles of the past. In order to find out how ancient peoples lived, you need all the clues you can get and you need to dig for them in a scientific manner. However, before archaeologists can pull their trowel out of their back pocket, there are a few things about which they need to think before the dig.
Without a research project, there is absolutely no reason to dig. Without this project proposal, you will not be able to apply for funding or obtain an excavation permit. Evidently, without a dig permit, you can't dig anywhere.