Investigation of culture history, ethnicity, preservation, and urban development is prevalent in urban archaeology today. Emphasis is given to the methods of doing archaeology in the city as opposed to the archaeology of the city. How urban archaeology is being conducted is treated first, followed by the current status of urban archaeology in the United States. The nature of the archaeological record in an urban center is next considered. Various urban land uses are discussed in order to present a general view of how the data lie in the ground. Emphasis is given to the degree of preservation and integrity of the material culture, and to the degree of accessibility afforded the archaeologist. This information sets the stage for a discussion of survey and sampling procedures appropriate in urban settings. See also AATA 19-1120. -- AATA