ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology Introduction What kind of discipline is Archaeology : –It is a science…why? Careful, logical examination that follows specific processes in an attempt to validate or negate an hypothesis. –Definition: Attempt to rebuild the history of an area through its artifacts. Artifact: Anything made by humans. Examples: tools, buildings, inscriptions.

ARCHAEOLOGY Introduction Who is the Archaeologist: –The scientist attempting to prove or disprove an hypothesis. The archaeologist is also a kind of historian. He/She is a vital resource for other historians. –What they discover helps historians write histories. **Remember the gladiator artifact from the article

Archaeology Introduction Archaeology is a Science:

ARCHAEOLOGY Types –Anthropological: Study of Primitive humans and their material remains. Non-writing cultures.

ARCHAEOLOGY Types –Nautical: Undersea archaeology. Special equipment. Mediterranean and other seas.

ARCHAEOLOGY Types –New World: Archaeology conducted in the Americas. Examples: Native American, Inca, Maya, Aztec. Aztec Calendar Mayan Temple

ARCHAEOLOGY Types –Old World: Archaeology conducted in Europe. Examples: Viking, British, Celtic. Viking animal head Celtic Tombstone Celtic Beehive Hut, Ireland

ARCHAEOLOGY Introduction –Classical: The archaeology of the great civilizations: Egypt, Greece, Rome, Middle East. Roman Road Charioteer of Delphi, 6 th century BC Fallen Warrior, 5 th century BC

CONDUCTING A “DIG” Dig=Excavation Excavation: Process of digging up an archaeological site. #1 rule: “All excavation is destruction”

CONDUCTING A “DIG” STEP 1: Choice of a Site: Research “Surface Survey”: walk the land. Obtain permission/permits to dig.

CONDUCTING A “DIG” Step 2: Obtain Funding: Universities Museums Private donations

CONDUCTING A “DIG” Step 3: Tools: Pick Shovel Trowel/Spade Toothbrush Dental Picks

CONDUCTING A “DIG” Step 4: Obtain Workers: Some will be paid, some volunteers Foreman: directs work parties. Knowledgeable. Work Parties: Each consists of: -experienced -laborers

CONDUCTING A “DIG” ….Other workers: -Specialists: ArchitectEpigraphist BotanistSurveyor Artist Photographer Anthropologist

CONDUCTING A “DIG” At the Site: Step 5: Goal Year 1: determine # of levels of occupation. Step Trench Step 6: Map entire site and “grid” it. Step 7: Trench the site. Line drawn across site and workers cut into soil until the bottom of newest level is reached.

CONDUCTING A “DIG” Step 8: teams work in a 3-5 meter grid. Each section of grid is numbered and lettered. Step 9: Each work group digs their section, labeling all finds as to where found and on what level. Drawn/photo. In-situ: location where an artifact was discovered Balks: Areas not excavated in order to preserve strata.

CONDUCTING A “DIG” Step 10: After each day, all finds are looked over and catalogued. Yearly Process: After excavating top of mound to bottom of newest level, continue with lower levels, one at a time.

CONDUCTING A “DIG” Most sites are located on mounds (Tells) -Tell: a mound created by successive occupation of the same area. New city built on top of old one. Over time a mound is formed. There could be numerous occupation levels in a mound

CONDUCTING A “DIG” Levels (Strata). Each period of occupation is considered a level. –Uppermost levels are the latest. –Lowest levels are the earliest. (remember, the new city is built on top of the old one) Step trench