What is Archaeology?
Written by Lin Donn
Illustrated by Phillip Martin
Fossils/Artifacts
An archaeologist is 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. An
archaeologist must know the
difference between an artifact and a
fossil.
1. Fossils are remains of living things (plants, animals,
people), not of things that were made.
2. Artifacts are remains of things that were made, not
the remains of living things.
What is a site?
A "site" is a place
archaeologists wish to
explore.
At the site, archaeologists
literally dig, looking for the
remains of ancient
civilizations. That is why
they call the site at which
they are working a “dig”.
Finding a site
How do archaeologists find sites to explore?
1. They think about what people
need to stay alive. Some of
those things include
access to clean drinking
water, a protected place
to live, and easy access
to trade routes. With this
in mind, archaeologists look
for remains of civilizations along
the banks of rivers and streams.
Finding a site
2. They check out reports of artifacts that have been
discovered. Artifacts have been discovered by farmers
and construction companies while working at their jobs.
3. They check the land from
the air, looking for large
depressions that could be
the ruins of an ancient living
area.
4. They use scientific
instruments like radar and
sonar to look for ruins.
Permission to Dig
An archaeologist must receive
permission to explore a site. The owner
of the land must grant sometimes
permission. Sometimes the government
of a country must issue permits.
Once permission is received,
archaeologists work in teams with other
archaeologists. A team begins to explore
the area. They look for evidence that
people once lived in the area.
Evidence includes fossils and artifacts.
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.
Tools of the Trade
The tools they use are
sometimes very simple. Tools
include trowels, brushes, spoons,
dental picks, sieves, saws,
dustpans, and wheelbarrows.
They search each grid very
carefully. Digging at a site is slow
and careful work.
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.
What is it?
The job of an archaeologist is a great deal like the job of
a detective. Here are some puzzles for you to solve.
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?
Learn More
For the answers to these questions,
click on these links.
LEARN MORE about
Archaeology
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