Archaeology – An Introduction

The study of past human societies through recovery and analysis of artifacts.

What is archaeology?

Archaeology is a scientific study of history carried out by analyzingphysical remains of human activity inthe past.

An archaeologist is a scientistwho studies the past by finding anddigging up what’s left of ancientcivilizations.

What are remains?

Remains can be various kinds of artifacts such as stone hammers, stone ornaments, fragments of pottery and jewelry, or features like houses, forts and graves.

What is an artifact?

Anything can be an artifact!

If someone found your bedroom ten years from now what “artifacts” would they find? Dirty socks, pizza box, shiny locks, lots of blocks?

Mt. Vesuvius and PompeiiWhen Mt. Vesuvius erupted, ash covered the cities before people had a chance to grab things and run.

Hundreds of years later, we can see how people lived and what they had. There was even graffiti scribbled on the walls.

How do archaeologists find places and things?

Archaeologists use scientific methods to locate sites of archaeological potential both on land and underwater. They excavate, analyze, and record archaeological finds systematically, and use this information to explain the way people lived in the past.

Remote Sensing

Remote sensing is a method for detecting objects in soil or water without being physically present next to them. 

Each remote sensing technique uses different waves to detect objects at a distance.

Magnetometer

This device is used to find artifacts by detecting iron bands, nails or other trim.  It was developed during the World War II as a means of locating German submarines.

Side-scan Sonar

When wrecks are not completely buried under sediment they can be found using a technique referred to as side-scan sonar. Side-scan sonar is similar to radar but used underwater. Objects such as ships or other large artifacts projecting from the ocean floor or lake-bed will appear as shadows visible on the instrument screen.

Satellites and Remote Sensing

In the last few years, satellites have improved in their picture taking ability.Many of these pictures use techniques that show different colors where there is underground water or where the ground has been disturbed. Archaeologists use this to narrow down a search.

Satellite images are being used to try to locate Noah’s ark.

Satellite view of Lewis and Clark Expedition (trail marked in green)

Old records, scrolls, books, diaries, myths and legends

Many sites are found when people go looking for a place mentioned in a story or diary.

Often artifacts are found by accident in fields or washed ashore.

You could find something, too!

All areas have some trace of the people who lived there before.

You might find arrowheads or pieces of pottery, or even a coin.

Most often, though, you will find parts of old household goods.

Finding out about the past is fun!

Bog Mummies