what do we seek in archaeology

Archaeology in the 20 th Century

• Archaeology as a practice is the process by which archaeologists research sites, gather data, excavate, report on findings and preserve artefacts. ...
• Archaeological theory is the examination of the results of the practice to extract meaning from artefacts, monuments, human landscapes and other discoveries for knowledge dissemination, and interpretation for further academic discussion

Full Answer

What does an archaeologist do?

They examine cultures, languages, behaviours, archaeological remains, and physical characteristics of people in many parts of the world. They ask questions and develop theories. Should I become an Archaeologist? What does an Archaeologist do? Archaeologists use scientific sampling techniques to guide them as to where they need to dig on the site.

What do archaeologists look for during the investigative process?

During the investigative process, they might seek to learn when people occupied the site, the purpose of the objects recovered, what the people ate, the kinds of structures they built, with whom they traded, and much more. They may also look at how the site they are analyzing relates to other sites.

What are the methods of Archaeology?

Over the past 150 years, archaeologists have developed effective methods and techniques for studying the past. Archaeologists also rely on methods from other fields such as history, botany, geology, and soil science. Archival research is often the first step in archaeology.

What do archaeologists borrow from other disciplines?

Archaeologists borrow techniques from other disciplines such as anthropology, history, art history, classics, ethnology, geography, geology, linguistics, semiology, physics, information sciences, computational archaeology (also known as digital archaeology), archaeogaming, chemistry, statistics, paleoecology, paleontology, paleozoology, ...

What do archaeologists want to find?

Archaeologists use artifacts and features to learn how people lived in specific times and places. They want to know what these people's daily lives were like, how they were governed, how they interacted with each other, and what they believed and valued.

What can you find in archaeology?

A team of archaeologists will walk in straight lines back and forth across the study area. As they walk, they look for evidence of past human activity, including walls or foundations, artifacts, or color changes in the soil that may indicate features.

What are the 4 goals of archaeology?

The goals of archaeology are to document and explain the origins and development of human culture, understand culture history, chronicle cultural evolution, and study human behaviour and ecology, for both prehistoric and historic societies.

What are the main topics of archaeology?

Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landscapes.

Why do we study archaeology?

Archaeology offers a unique perspective on human history and culture. Archaeology helps us understand not only where and when people lived on the earth, but also how they have lived. Archaeologists examine change over time, seeking patterns and explanations.

Why is archaeology so important?

Understanding patterns and changes in human behavior enhances our knowledge of the past. It aids us in planning, not only our future, but for generations to come. Many people believe that public archaeology is critical to understanding, protecting, and celebrating our rich and diverse cultural heritage.

What are the qualities of a good archaeology?

You'll need:an interest and knowledge of history.the ability to work well with your hands.knowledge of sociology and anthropology for understanding society and culture.to be thorough and pay attention to detail.persistence and determination.excellent verbal communication skills.analytical thinking skills.More items...

What is the role of archaeology in the development of a country?

Archaeology contributes to sustainable development, and wider well-being, through a variety of means, including the contribution it makes to understanding past environments and sustenance practices to inform current farming and husbandry; through the understanding of past relations between people to help social ...

What do you understand by archeology?

Definition of archaeology 1 : the scientific study of material remains (such as tools, pottery, jewelry, stone walls, and monuments) of past human life and activities. 2 : remains of the culture of a people : antiquities the archaeology of the Incas.

What are the four types of archaeological evidence?

All archaeological materials can be grouped into four main categories: (1) artifacts, (2) ecofacts, (3) structures, and (4) features associated with human activity.

What three questions are archaeologists looking to answer?

Archeologists first decide on questions they want to answer, such as, "Who lived here, and when?," "Why did people leave?", “How did people live in this climate/environment?” or “What kinds of things did people make, and who made them?” Descendants or local communities may help with the questions.

What is the difference between archaeology and archeology?

For some archaeologists, the two spellings symbolize competing aspects of the field. The supposedly antiquated spelling with the “ae” is supposed to connote classical or a humanist-oriented archaeology, while the supposedly modern “e” is thought to suggest anthropological or a social science-oriented practice.

What are the four types of archaeological evidence?

All archaeological materials can be grouped into four main categories: (1) artifacts, (2) ecofacts, (3) structures, and (4) features associated with human activity.

What is archaeological evidence in history?

The archaeological record is the body of physical (not written) evidence about the past. It is one of the core concepts in archaeology, the academic discipline concerned with documenting and interpreting the archaeological record.

What are the types of archaeology?

*Most of our archaeology field schools fall under more than one specialization listed below.Field Archaeology. ... Prehistoric Archaeology. ... Classical Archaeology. ... Near Eastern/ Biblical Archaeology. ... Historical Archaeology. ... Bioarchaeology. ... Underwater Archaeology. ... Cultural Resource Management.More items...

Which major work does an archaeologist do?

Archaeologists study past human activity by excavating, dating and interpreting objects and sites of historical interest. They implement excavation projects, informally known as digs, preserve archaelogical remains and collect data that informs their understanding of the past.

What field of study do archaeologists use?

Archaeologists also rely on methods from other fields such as history, botany, geology, and soil science.

What do archaeologists look for in a site report?

In addition to primary historical documents, archaeologists will look for site reports that other archaeologists have written about this area. These reports will describe what the archaeologist found in this area during any previous investigations. These older site reports can help guide the new research. The State Historic Preservation Office maintains documentation files for all the recorded archaeological sites in each state. This will include previous archaeological research reports about sites in the state.

How do archaeologists record the exact location of all artifacts and features on a site?

They establish a datum point, or fixed reference point for all measurements. Then they superimpose a rectangular grid over the whole site. They measure each square in the grid and assign it a number. These squares are often referred to as units. This system allows the archaeologist to create a precise map and to record the exact location of all the features and artifacts on the site.

How do archaeologists determine the location of an archaeological site?

It helps determine where archaeologists look for sites based on factors like distance from water, ground steepness, soil type, and other factors that influence where people settle or perform certain tasks. The methods used to find sites will depend on the kind of research questions that the archaeologist is trying to answer. If there are plans for highway or housing construction, archaeologists may need to know of any archaeological sites on the property. First they will check if there were any previous surveys in the area and, if so, what the results were. If there are no previously recorded sites, the archaeologist will conduct an archaeological survey.

Why do archaeologists collaborate with descendants?

Archaeologists today collaborate with descendants to better understand the cultural traditions of their pasts. Archaeologists working on the 19th-century Levi Jordan Plantation in Texas interviewed descendants. They included both descendants of the plantation owners and of the enslaved plantation workers as part of their research. These archaeologists wanted to include the voices and perspectives of all the past peoples who lived and worked there. At Castle Rock Pueblo in southwestern Colorado, archaeologists used oral history. Through the oral traditions of modern Puebloan people, they learned about the past culture of their Anasazi ancestors.

Why are archaeological collections preserved?

Archaeological collections are also preserved for use in museum exhibits so that the public may benefit from the archaeological research that unearthed them. This way, we can all connect to the work that archaeologists do.

Where are artifacts stored?

Each state has a responsibility to store the millions of artifacts recovered from surface collections or excavations within its boundaries. Finding space for these collections is a major challenge. While some collections are stored in many locations around the state, other states have created centralized archaeology storage facilities.

Why is archaeology important?

Archaeology used to proceed with investigations and research with little understanding or concern for anything beyond the academic for the public interest. Cultural treasures and icons were held as trinkets from times and cultures past. But increasingly, it is coming around to the issues caused by cultural sensitivity. Human bodies laid to rest in graves, either from existing cultures or past ones, are increasingly being challenged by those who feel their ancestors are being disturbed or disrespected. First Nation remains (Native Americans and Australian Aboriginals) (34) are the most prominent, but in the historic cities of Europe, such challenges are also made from local Jewish community leaders even where there is no longer a Jewish community. Archaeology has adapted to cultural sensitivity issues and working towards co-operation with interest groups instead of perceiving a conflict.

What is Archaeology?

Simply, archaeology is the study of people in the past, their activities and actions, cultural practices, tools and technological development, and in some cases (where possible) their superstitious and religious practices, expression of their cultural identity and other beliefs about themselves or the world around them (1). It mostly looks at material remains but has recently evolved to examine landscapes and concepts of topography, providing a crossover with both human geography and environmental studies. It began in Europe around the late 17 th century, studying ancient monuments and sites with the expressed purpose of discovering artifacts and treasures and putting them on display.

How Do Archaeology and Anthropology Differ?

That is not a simple question to answer and it depends on which area of the world you presently live. Here in North America, archaeology is a subdivision of anthropology. In Europe, it is the other way around. The main reason being is that Europe has a far longer historic period. In the Americas, the prehistoric period is considered to have technically finished in the 15 th -16 th centuries with the arrival of European colonists.

What are the differences between archaeology and paleontology?

It also differs from paleontology in that this area studies fossils of extinct species and not humans or human ancestors. They do share methods and tools and sometimes work on the same sites - especially where human remains are found alongside extinct species.

How do we study humanity's use of the sea?

Humans have always needed waterways such as lakes, rivers and oceans. We mine its resources, we travel on it to reach new destinations and we build technology to allow us to do that. This area of study concerns human relationships with the sea (28). That means the evolution of rafts and boats, examining seafaring cultures such as the Vikings and the spread through the islands of Micronesia. It also means the archaeology of fishing. There is some overlap in climate change. Some impressive prehistoric sites exist beneath the seabeds of the world, land that would once have been dry land. These records are an untapped resource.

What are the threats to archaeology?

The end of the 20 th century and the start of this one presented some new challenges to our study of people in the past. Climate change and pollution threaten lives and jobs and will alter topographies that will damage or erode some of the most archaeologically sensitive landscapes (13). Sea level rises mean greater defenses required for sea walls to protect standing historic structures and buried remains. Coastal erosion is already threatening archaeological remains (14).

What is the study of people of the past?

Anthropology is the study of people of the past, their culture and practices, the locations of habitation, how they survived or thrived in the landscape, what they ate, what they believed (where possible) and their practices. With this, anthropologists attempt to build a narrative of human culture in the past.

What do archaeologists use to guide them?

Archaeologists use scientific sampling techniques to guide them as to where they need to dig on the site. They observe, record, categorize, and interpret what they find, then share their findings with other scientists and the public.

Where do archaeologists work?

Although some archaeologists work in a typical office setting, many work in laboratories or in the field. Fieldwork sometimes requires workers to travel. Most work full-time during regular business hours.

What is an Archaeologist?

Most people’s understanding of archaeology comes from TV shows like Indiana Jones. Unfortunately, there is very little Indiana Jones style adventure in archaeology. Although archaeologists do get to travel to cool places, what they are really looking for is information, not treasure.

Why do prehistoric archaeologists give modern names?

Without written history to provide evidence for names and places, prehistoric archaeologists often give arbitrary modern names to cultures, which directly relate to the location of where artifacts are found.

Why is archaeology considered a broad subject?

Because it is such a broad subject, it has many disciplines and specializations based on the time period studied, the civilization studied, or the types of artifacts and features studied. And because of the slow nature of the recovery of historical artifacts and remains from archaeological sites, it is common for archaeologists to devote their lives to only one branch of study.

How much do archaeologists make?

The average salary for archaeologists in the United States is around $63,670 per year . Salaries typically start from $39,460 and go up to $97,950.

What is the main source of history?

Archaeology is one of the main sources we have to unearth history and to piece together the people and cultures that make us who we are today. It is the scientific study of the human past, and is one of the four sub-fields of anthropology.

What is it like to be an archaeologist?

Hot sun, long days, hard manual labor? Dark caves, high mounds, stone citadels? Uncovering houses and graves, palaces and storerooms? Finding broken bits of pottery and metal – and occasionally glamorous and amazing objects that no one has seen since they were last used, perhaps thousands of years ago?

Why do archaeologists work in summer?

The summers are for getting excavation experience. This part of an archaeologist’s education can be hurried, in a way: you can work on a dig even when in high school, and continue in college. Lots of digs are happy to have student volunteers (though some charge money for room and board, and sometimes tuition). If you end up going on to graduate school, you will already have experience, which will help you advance faster.

How long does it take to dig a site?

Digging is slow, and most sites are big – so a dig can take many seasons. A single season can be anywhere from one week to a couple of months; it’s rare for an excavation season to last longer than that. But projects can go on for several years, and in some cases for longer than that (for example, the excavations in the Agora of ancient Athens have been going on every year since 1931, and excavations at Pompeii began in 1748!). Even with very long-term projects, however, there is always a lot left un-excavated. It’s important to leave enough untouched so that future archaeologists, with better techniques and more knowledge, can have their turn.

What are the drawbacks of being an archaeologist?

Probably the biggest drawback to this kind of job is that it can take over your life. All those satisfactions that come with being an archaeologist are important, because first of all , it doesn’t pay as well as many careers (especially considering how much schooling one needs), and second of all, you can end up devoting much or all of your time to it. That didn’t happen to me because I have two children, so I didn’t spend every minute of my time excavating, researching, or teaching. But I have known archaeologists who never married or had children, and who truly gave themselves over to their career – and they were very happy. Archaeology, for most of us, is a passion, maybe even a kind of obsession, one we are happy to give most of our time to.

What department is the Archaeology of Ancient Greece?

those who study the archaeology of ancient Greece and Rome usually belong to a Department of Classics (sometimes called Classical Studies) or History of Art. those who study the archaeology of ancient Israel often belong to a Department of Religious Studies.

What skills are needed to dig?

These include technical drawing of objects, photography, mapping and surveying, and various computer applications.

What is the department of Near Eastern Studies?

those who study ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia often belong to a Department of Near Eastern Studies, or sometimes Anthropology. those who study the archaeology of Mesoamerica (e.g., Maya or Aztec) or South America (e.g., Inca), or the archaeology of most other places in the world, such as Africa, Europe, China, India, Oceania, ...

Why is archaeology important?

Whether it is the story of our relationship with the natural world, arguments about the origins of people, or debates about how and why societies change, archaeology is a subject that makes us think about where we are now and where we want to go. Archaeology is all around us. Archaeology matters.

What is the study of the past called?

Archaeology is the study of the human past. It addresses big questions about our past that cannot be answered in other ways. As archaeologists we are interested in all aspects of the people of the past, from their diets to their beliefs, the clothes and jewellery they wore, the tools and cooking pots they used, ...

Is archaeology about the past?

Although we study material and society in the past, archaeology is also about the present, and we are equally concerned with the cultural and political significance of the past as it is understood by people today. Many of our ideas about who we are and where we belong are formed with reference to the past, which means archaeology is also about the future.

Why is archaeology important?

The material remains include artifacts, architecture, biofacts (ecofacts), and landscapes. Goals of an archaeologist include understanding cultural history, constructing past ways of living, document ing human history, and explaining the changes in human societies over time. Archaeologists are important because they help us understand the over 99% of unrecorded human past, their societies, and how they evolved physically and their inventions over time.

What are the characteristics of an archaeologist?

The common characteristic of all archaeologists is that they are involved in surveying, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Archaeologists borrow techniques from other disciplines such as anthropology, history, art history, classics, ethnology, geography, geology, linguistics, semiology, physics, information sciences, ...

What is the purpose of experimental archaeology?

Experimental archaeologists usually use experimentation to come up with the concrete controlled observation of processes that create and impact the archaeological record. Archaeometry use application of physics, chemistry, and engineering to systemize archaeological measurements.

What do archaeologists use to come up with conclusions?

As a developing area of study, modern archaeologists use specialized computer programs and techniques to measure and come up with conclusions. This area of study is evidently evolving, and more sub-discipline of archaeology are expected in subsequent years as well as more concrete explanations of findings.

What is the future of archaeology?

Presently, archaeologists learn and share about past human societies and the lives they led over 2.5 million years ago. Archaeology brings to light many of humanity’s technological advancements, tools development, metallurgy, the rise of cities, religion, and agriculture among others.

What is the discipline of archeology?

The discipline of archeology is a branch of anthropology. The material remains include artifacts, architecture, biofacts (ecofacts), and landscapes. Goals of an archaeologist include understanding cultural history, constructing past ways of living, documenting human history, and explaining the changes in human societies over time.

Who was the first archaeologist?

An Italian Renaissance human historian Flavio Biondo is the earliest known archaeologist. He wrote a guide on the ruins and topography of earlier Rome in the early 15th century. Early archeologists were called antiquarians in the 17th and 18th centuries whose studies only concentrated on the history of historical sites, manuscripts, and ancient artifacts (antiquarianism). They focused on observable evidence to understand the past. Some of these antiquarians surveyed and explained the English countryside, drawings, and monuments. Also studied by the mid-18th century were the evolutions of handwritten text, utensils, shield-shapes, architecture, and different types of costumes among others. During this period, specialized excavations like stratification were not used. By the early 19th century, William Cunnington (the father of archaeological excavations) developed most of the terms and procedures used by archaeologists to date including stratigraphy (each overlapping strata trace back to a successive period in chronological order). By the 1920s, Sir Mortimer Wheeler developed the grid system of excavation. Most universities also started offering archaeology programs during this time. Today, almost all archaeologists are university graduates.

What is the best way to get an archaeology job?

Complete an internship. Internships or fellowships offer a great field experience that is a requirement for many archaeology jobs. Some places that may offer archaeological internships are museums, archaeological organisations and government agencies.

Where do archaeologists work?

If you want to become an archaeologist, you may have to work in one of the following work settings:

What are some good internships for archaeologists?

Some places that may offer archaeological internships are museums, archaeological organisations and government agencies . As internships provide a supervised experience, you can assess your suitability for such work and ensure that it is the right career choice.

What is the purpose of comparing archaeological data from one dig site to another?

Comparing the findings from one dig site with archaeological data from another dig site to understand differences or similarities

What is the branch of archaeology?

Archaeology is a branch of anthropology and there are various fields in which you can specialise. The field you choose decides the type of archaeologist you will become. Some of the most common types of archaeologists are:

What is an archaeologist?

June 10, 2021. An archaeologist is a professional who studies and analyses human prehistory to understand how human civilisations have evolved. They excavate and recover artefacts like building ruins, pottery, cave paintings and tools. Through their research, they explain the evolution of living species. Archaeologists are responsible ...

What is an environmental archaeologist?

Environmental archaeologists answer questions related to the natural habitat around the ancient people. They examine the plants, animals and crops present in a particular period and how people used them in their daily lives. It involves field studies along with laboratory experiments.

Is archaeology a cool profession?

It’s a cool profession. Despite — or maybe because of — the above, we capture people’s imagination. Want to start a conversation? Tell people you’re an archaeologist. Sure, they have no idea what we do, but they want to know. In some cases, you just want to be left alone, though, in which case a good friend recommends you just say you’re a hair dresser. He does this and no one ever follows up on it. Which seems odd, because I bet hairdressers have lots of interesting stories.

Is archaeology bad?

It’s definitely not all bad. There are definitely a number of issues that plague archaeology as both a business and an academic discipline, but we all put up with that stuff because of how amazing it is to be an archaeologist.

Historical Research Techniques

• Archival research
  Archival research is often the first step in archaeology. This research uncovers the written records associated with the study area. If people lived in the area when there were written records, the archaeologist will look for associated primary historical documents. This archival research may …
• Oral History
  Oral history is another research method that archaeologists and historians may use to gather information. It includes information passed down by word of mouth. Stories passed down about your family history and traditions that your family observes are oral history. Archaeologists toda…

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Preparing For The Field

Data Recovery

in The Lab

Preserving Collections