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What is Archaeology?. Archeology The study of things that earlier people left behind.

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Presentation on theme: "What is Archaeology?. Archeology The study of things that earlier people left behind."— Presentation transcript:

1 What is Archaeology?

2 Archeology The study of things that earlier people left behind.

3 Archeology The study of things that earlier people left behind.

4 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.

5 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 Finding a site How do archaeologists find sites to explore?

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

14 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

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

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

17 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.

18 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.

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

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

21 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.

22 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.

23 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.

24 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.


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