What is Archaeology?

Boy Scout Troop 323Bryan A. Stetzer, M.A., RPA

Archaeology is a branch of AnthropologyAnthropology is the total study of humankindArchaeology is the study of the people and cultures of the past based on material remains

Archaeologists use the things

people left behind to learn more about the culture they are studying.

We call these things people left

behind “artifacts.”

Artifact— any object made or modified by human activity

Think of it like this: Archaeologists are detectives of the past and the

artifacts they find are their clues.

What’s the Difference?

• Geology – study of the Earth and rocks

• Paleontology – study of non-human organisms (plant or animal)

• History – study of the past based on written records

Archaeological Terms• Site – anywhere human activity has

occurred (campsite, homestead, town, etc.)

• Ecofact – natural remains associated with human activity (pollen, seeds, etc.)

• Feature – non-portable remnant of human activity (foundation, pit, posthole, hearth, etc.)

• Stratigraphy – study of soil layers (strata)

• Provenience – where and with what an artifact is found (i.e. Unit 1 Level 3)

SITE

ARTIFACTS

FEATURES

STRATIGRAPHY

How do Archaeologists know where to dig?

• Map survey – where WOULD people live?

• Ground survey (shovel testing, surface collection)

• Accidental (farmers, hikers, construction)

• Aerial survey• Remote sensing

(ground penetrating radar, MAD scanners)

How old is it? Dating Techniques

• Absolute Dating—This type of dating gives exact dates. • Carbon 14 Dating• Potassium/Argon• Dendrochronology

• Relative Dating—This kind of dating tells how old something is in relation to another thing. • Seriation• Stratigraphy

Important Things to Know about Archaeology

• Archaeologists do not get to keep the artifacts they find. The artifacts belong to the land owner, or the state, etc.

• Archaeologists must first obtain a permit before they can conduct an excavation.

• It is against the law to take artifacts from federal lands, or public places like the city park. Later on, archaeologist may have to go in those areas for an excavation. Artifacts are clues, remember? What do you suppose removing those clues does to the site?

Our warehouse is also called a repository.

THE END