INVESTIGATING THE REMAINS OF THE PAST Archaeology

What is Archaeology? The study of past cultures through material remains left behind by people. The remains are studied in an attempt to understand and recreate all aspects of past cultures. All strata of societies are explored, from commoners to rulers. Rarely is complete picture present, must be reconstructed from ‘puzzle pieces’.

Branches of Archaeology Prehistoric – before writing Historical – physical remains and texts Industrial – buildings post Industrial Revolution Classical – Greeks, Romans, Egyptians Mesoamerican – Inca, Aztec, Maya, etc. African civilizations

Branches of Archaeology II Ethnoarchaeology – extant peoples and their use of objects. (Can help explain past use of objects). Environmental – climatic conditions Experimental – reconstruct techniques and processes use to create artifacts, art and architecture. (Ex: How were statues made, How were pyramids constructed, etc.) Underwater – shipwrecks, underwater sites. Cultural resource management – preservation of sites.

What is the Material Record? Material (physical) remains can consist of:  Small objects – tools, arrowheads, pottery shards, shells, coins, etc.  Large structures – buildings, walls, aqueducts, hearths, garbage dumps, etc. Anything that is created or modified by humans is part of the archaeological record. Materials may include ceramics, metals, bones, stone, plant and animal remains, fossils, DNA.  Structures may be stone, wood, bone, etc.

How is it preserved? Organic vs. Inorganic Buried vs. exposed Wet vs. Dry Aerobic vs. Anaerobic Frozen in glaciers, tundra, etc.

How Archaeology Proceeds Hypothesis creation – excavations are designed to answer questions and/or resolve issues.  Exception is resource management – sites are in danger of being destroyed and must be excavated promptly. Survey of site location – dig sites may come from myth/story, historical reference, old maps, satellite imagery, farmer reports, etc. Excavation – most well known component. Most proceed carefully and slowly.

How Archaeology Proceeds II Data collection and recording – locations of all artifacts, soil conditions, etc. Mapping – recording exact position of all objects.  Hand-drawn maps using string grids.  Software-based maps using surveying equipment.  Overlay map data with GIS or other map data. Lab and Conservation – preservation and further analysis of artifacts. Interpretation – determining the ‘story’. What purpose did objects serve, etc.  Always an incomplete picture. Publication – sharing results with scientific community.

Tools and Techniques Excavation – trowels (flat not scooped), shovels, dental picks, brushes, backhoes, bulldozers. Survey and Mapping:  satellite images (photo, IR, radar)  Geophysical prospecting tools: magnetometers, conductivity meters, ground-penetrating radar.  Compasses, tape measures, GPS, theodolites

Tools of the TradeTheodolite