What is Archaeology?

Archeology The study of things that earlier people left behind.

Archeology The study of things that earlier people left behind.

Archaeologist Someone who tries to figure out what life was like in the ancient past by looking at the remains of ancient people – their fossils and their artifacts.

Archaeologist Someone who tries to figure out what life was like in the ancient past by looking at the remains of ancient people – their fossils and their artifacts.

An archaeologist must know the difference between an artifact and a fossil. Fossils/Artifacts

Archaeologist Artifacts are remains of things that were made, NOT the remains of living things.

Archaeologist Fossils are remains of living things (plants, animals, people), not of things that were made.

What is a site? A "site" is a place archaeologists wish to explore.

What is a site? Archaeologists call the site a “dig”.

What is a site? Archaeologists call the site a “dig”. Why?

Finding a site How do archaeologists find sites to explore?

Finding a site How do archaeologists find sites to explore? 1. They think about what people need to stay alive.

Finding a site How do archaeologists find sites to explore? 1. They think about what people need to stay alive. clean drinking water a protected place to live easy access to trade routes

Finding a site So where do you think archaeologists look for a site?

Finding a site 1. Archaeologists look for remains of civilizations along the banks of rivers and streams.

Finding a site 2. Archaeologists check out reports of artifacts that have been discovered. Some farmers and construction companies have discovered artifacts while working at their jobs.

Finding a site 3. Archaeologists check the land from the air, looking for large depressions that could be the ruins of an ancient living area.

Finding a site 4. They use scientific instruments like radar and sonar to look for ruins.

Permission to Dig An archaeologist must receive permission to explore a site. Once permission is received, archaeologists work in teams with other archaeologists.

Grids & Labeling Before they begin digging, archaeologists design a grid on the ground using rope and string. Each square in the grid must be carefully searched. A record must be kept of anything found, including what was found next to it.

Tools of the Trade The tools archaeologists use are sometimes very simple: trowels brushes spoons dental picks sieves saws dustpans wheelbarrows. They search each grid very carefully. Digging at a site is slow and careful work.

Back in the Lab Once objects are labeled and removed from a site, they are taken to a lab, relabeled, and placed into a database. Archaeologists use this information to put together pieces of the past. It takes a great deal of education, training, patience, and attention to detail to work as an archaeologist.

Fossils/Artifacts 1.While planting my garden, I found a three-foot long bone made out of stone. Did I find a fossil or an artifact? 2.While exploring in the woods near my house, I found an old arrowhead. Did I find a fossil or an artifact? The job of an archaeologist is a great deal like the job of a detective. Here are some puzzles for you to solve.