WHAT IS ARCHAEOLOGY? Archaeology means the ‘study of everything ancient’. Archaeology means the ‘study of everything ancient’. Archaeologists examine all possible kinds of available evidence in the search for knowledge of our early ancestors. Archaeologists examine all possible kinds of available evidence in the search for knowledge of our early ancestors. Old bones, ancient buildings, artefacts (pots, jars, etc.), paintings and even old household rubbish and coins. Old bones, ancient buildings, artefacts (pots, jars, etc.), paintings and even old household rubbish and coins.

PRESERVING THE PAST The past can survive. The past can survive. Such survival depends on varied weather conditions some of which are: desert heat (Mummy preservation), water logging (Tollund Man), volcanic ash (Pompeii), very cold conditions( Ice Man), and cemeteries and tombs (Egyptian mummies). Such survival depends on varied weather conditions some of which are: desert heat (Mummy preservation), water logging (Tollund Man), volcanic ash (Pompeii), very cold conditions( Ice Man), and cemeteries and tombs (Egyptian mummies).

Tollund Man

Pompeii

Ice Man

Egyptian Mummification

DATING THE PAST How old is it? is an obvious, but crucial question. How old is it? is an obvious, but crucial question. Because there is no evidence of writing before about 3000 BC archaeologists have to use other methods. Because there is no evidence of writing before about 3000 BC archaeologists have to use other methods. Some methods of dating are: stratigraphy (lower the layer the older the deposits), dendrochronology (tree-ring dating) and radiocarbon dating (carbon 14). Some methods of dating are: stratigraphy (lower the layer the older the deposits), dendrochronology (tree-ring dating) and radiocarbon dating (carbon 14).

Stratigraphy

Dendrochronology

Radiocarbon Dating