An archaeologist is like a detective, looking for
evidence (clues) about how people
used to live long ago.
Selecting a Site- The Dig
- It is very important that when historians are selecting an area that they feel may have some historical artefacts, that they keep in mind some of the following points.
Permission and Laws
- Is it private/public property, national heritage.
- Do you need a special permit to excavate the site?
- Does it have to be finish in a certain amount of time?
Photos
- Old photos can often give us clues as to what something used to look like.
- This can be very important when trying to reconstruct and item.
Ariel Surveying
- Some places are seen easier from the sky, rather than on the land.
- Especially in hard to reach places. Eg Islands, mountains, underwater.
Maps
- Maps are used to locate a historical site.
- Maps can be very useful in uncovering buildings that have been either destroyed or renovated.
Previous Excavations
- Sometimes archaeologists are simply revisiting, extending or continuing on the work that was done previously.
Something Found
- Accidental (farming), or during routine/planned work (road works).
Work on the Site
Planning and Preparation
- The reason for this is because it may be unsafe to work in the area or you may need specialist equipment to complete your work. Also if it is badly planned you my damage the very object that you are trying to preserve.
Grid and Mapping
- Once the area is safe to work in and all the people involved know what their tasks are the next step it to clearly create a map of the area being surveyed. The reason that this is important is if they want to recreate it in and museum or make a model they must know where everything goes.
Tools
- In archaeology everything from large bulldozers to tooth picks can be used.
- Some of the most commonly used tools are measuring tapes, brushes, trowels, and sieves.
Uncovering history/Working with artefacts
Methods
- There are many different methods used in history to find out about objects from the past.
- As scientific methods improve the information becomes more detailed and accurate.
Carbon Dating
- Measuring the amount of carbon left in an object can tell us how old it is.
- The less carbon traces there are the older it is likely to be.
- Every living animal has a genetic code.
- This can be used to links finds Eg; An old graveyard, relatives may be identified.
Dendrochronology
- By counting the rings on a tree we can measure how old it is.
- This can be important in dating old buildings by the wood in them.
Stratigraphy
- By looking at the layers of soil (depth) in the ground historians can date when what age the object or building comes from.
Cataloguing
- All of the finds or artefacts must be clearly numbered and dated.
- They must be given a place or grid reference and number.
Presentation & Preserving
- There are two types of artefact in history, those that can be openly displayed and freely handled. Eg Statues, weapons, etc. However, some objects must be kept in special conditions so that they are not damaged further or because they are oxygen or light sensitive. An example of these would be old mummified bodies or paintings.
The Value of Archaeology
The work of the archaeologist/ historian can not be underestimated. While it may seem that they do very little for us, this is in fact not true. The buildings, objects and civilisations that they uncover can very often help us to better understand the world that we now live in. Very often their discoveries can help us. Eg Building techniques, designs, medicines, laws, practices.
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Quick Quiz
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