Introduction to Archeology What is Archeology n The

Introduction to Archeology

What is Archeology? n The study of the ancient and recent human past through material remains. n In other words…. studying people and civilizations in history by looking at what they left behind. n Stop and Think: Why is Archeology important? ?

What do archeologists find? n Artifacts: something created by humans usually for a practical purpose; especially: an object remaining from a particular period. n Examples:

Also…. n Bones – animal and human n Seeds – from plant food n Features –material remains that cannot be removed from a site. ¡ ¡ ¡ Stains or marks in the soil Fire hearths House Floor

Archeological Site n Once Archeologists have excavated a site it is gone forever so…. ¡ Must keep very specific records ¡ Usually only excavate a small portion of a site ¡ Usually only excavate if the site is being threatened with destruction Archeological Dig and Layers Video Link

So… n Stop and Think: What would happen if archeologists did not keep exact records?

Grid System n Archeologists carefully grid out their site and a map of the site n Allows Archeologists to record exactly where each artifact was found n Normally 5 meter squares

Layers – What They Tell Us n Over time, layers of strata are formed and pile on top of each other. n So each layer represents a different time period n Another reason the grid system is so important… archeologists have to keep track of which layer and therefore which time period each artifact comes from.

RULE 1 n Archeologists dig down into the past. The top layer is the newest and the bottom layer is the oldest.

RULE 2 n When a datable artifact is found, the layer it is found in can be dated either after or at the same date as the artifact.

n What appears to be the date of Layer C? ¡ n Which layers are probably older than Layer C? ¡ n 1895 or later D and E Which layers are probably newer than Layer C? ¡ A and B

RULE 3 n When a solid, undisturbed layer is found, all layers below it date before that layer.

n What Appears to be the general date of Layers D and E? ¡ n Before the 1920 s Which layers are probably newer than Layer C? ¡ A and B

Artifacts n When artifacts are found they are. . . ¡ ¡ Cleaned Labeled Sorted Analyzed by professionals

Artifacts n However! ¡ ¡ What about those things that cannot be removed for this process? ? Example: n ¡ Stain in the soil – might indicate where a fence post was located. Instead photographs, drawings, and soil samples are collected.

Archeology vs. Anthropology n n Anthropology: the Archeology: the ? ? of human science scientific study of n a e beings; especially : the material remains m study of human beings t (as fossil relics, a th and their ancestors artifacts, and s through time and space e monuments)oof past and in relation to physical d human lifet and character, environmental activities. ha W and social relations, and culture. ~Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Archeology vs. Anthropology n Archeologists do the digging and discover artifacts from the past. n Anthropologists take those findings and interpret them to create stories about the people who lived back then.

Site Formation Activity n Work with your table to arrange the pictures in the order they occurred from oldest to newest. Hint: Look for layers of flooring to give you clues.

Discussion Questions n What material remains survive to help the archaeologist reconstruct events at the pit house? n How could you account for the fact that very few artifacts survive as part of the archaeological record at the pit house site?