1. Introduction to Archeology

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

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

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

5. Archeological Site
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

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

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

8. Layers – What They Tell Us
Over time, layers of strata are formed and pile on top of each other.
So each layer represents a different time period
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.

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

10. RULE 2
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.

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

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

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

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

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

16. Archeology vs. Anthropology
Anthropology: the science of human beings; especially : the study of human beings and their ancestors through time and space and in relation to physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture.
~Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Archeology: the scientific study of material remains (as fossil relics, artifacts, and monuments) of past human life and activities.
What does that mean??

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

18. Site Formation Activity
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.
Possible answers: 1. stones, clay floors, excavated pit
2. possessions may have been removed by the occupants when they relocated, few possessions may have existed to begin with, artifact preservation rates vary with the composition of items.

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