ARCHAEOLOGYArchaeology 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 headCeltic Tombstone

Celtic Beehive Hut, Ireland

ARCHAEOLOGY Introduction

– Classical: The archaeology of the great civilizations: Egypt, Greece, Rome, Middle East.

Roman Road

Charioteer of Delphi, 6th century BC

Fallen Warrior, 5th 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:

Architect EpigraphistBotanist SurveyorArtistPhotographerAnthropologist

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