Here's to more happy endings!

You ask about searching for archaeological materials during the day or at night. Most archaeology occurs in full daylight, but I have on occasion worked in dark locations, needing to use a light and I have noticed that your attention is securely focused in the area outlined by the light beam, leading to more intense scrutiny and recognition. Again it all depends on circumstances - either mode can be best in certain conditions.

You mention Dave Lovelock and POA and POD. Good memories....Those concepts really improved our strategic planning and led to more rational deployment of resources and a definite improvement in the conduct of searches.

I am sure we could debate relative emphasis on clues, safety, etc. for quite some time. The statement that lit my fire was "The standard protocol is to wait until morning" That was never the case with us, although occasionally, that was indeed the best course. As you say, circumstances determine....
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Geezer in Chief