"Archaeology or archeology is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture."
Study of the physical remains of ancient societies.
Artifacts: Objects and materials that were created or used by humans, which are integral to understanding material culture.
Chronology: The study of the relative and absolute dating of artefacts to understand their context.
Archaeological excavation: The process of recovering and examining archaeological artefacts and features from an archaeological site.
Conservation: The preservation of artefacts, taking steps to prevent damage and decay.
Architectural features: The study of buildings, their design and construction techniques which can help define eras, design influences, and purpose.
Pottery: The study of pottery and ceramics in material culture can help reconstruct trade patterns, technological advances, and cultural integration.
Landscapes: The larger framework in which artifacts, features and buildings are located.
Tombs: The study of tombs and grave goods can help decipher religious practices, social structure, and artistic tastes.
Metallurgy: The study of metalworking and metal objects, can indicate technological advances of a society.
Animal bones: The study of animal remains can reveal the diets of past populations.
Human remains: Bones and burial practices can provide evidence for social hierarchies, funerary customs, and health.
Textiles: The study of textiles can reveal economic and social status, as well as technological, artistic and symbolic significance.
Paleobotany: The study of plant remains can provide insights into diet, environment, and technology usage.
Coins: Numismatics aids in understanding trade, currency, and commerce of ancient societies.
Epigraphy: The study of writing is indispensable for interpreting inscriptions on monuments, objects or buildings.
Pottery: Ceramic vessels were used extensively in ancient times for cooking, storing food and drink, and other domestic purposes. Pottery is a valuable source of information about the economic and social systems of past civilizations. Different styles and techniques of pottery manufacture provide insight into the cultural practices of different societies.
Coins: Coins are important sources of information about the political, economic, and social systems of past civilizations. They can reveal the names and images of rulers, their policies, and the economic conditions of their time. The study of coins is called numismatics.
Sculpture: Sculptures in stone, bronze or other materials offer significant information about the artistic ideals, religious beliefs and social customs of ancient societies. Many sculptures depict important historical or mythological events that helped to shape the culture of the time.
Architecture: Buildings and other constructions from ancient times provide valuable evidence about the architectural practices and technologies of ancient societies. They also give insight into the political, social, and economic systems of the time.
Jewelry and personal adornment: Personal items such as jewellery and other adornments can indicate status, age or gender. The design and materials used can also provide information about trade relationships and wealth distribution across societies.
Textiles: Fabrics and textiles can reveal information about the fibers, dyes, and weaving technologies that were used in different societies. They are also invaluable sources of information about the clothing habits, status, and gender roles of individuals in the society.
Tools and implements: Ancient tools and implements made from stone or other materials can reveal the utilitarian skills and technologies of different societies. They can show how people lived, worked and constructed the material environment around them.
Household items: Household objects such as furniture, utensils, lamps and lamps reflect a society's cultural and religious practices. These items reveal patterns of consumption and ways of life of everyday people.
Inscriptions and writing: Inscriptions carved on ancient monuments, buildings or objects, as well as surviving manuscripts and documents are an important tool of political and religious history. They reveal the beliefs, practices and law codes of past civilizations.
Metalworking: Metalworking played a significant role in the manufacturing of weapons and goods, and tools used by past civilizations. Metalworking is used to identify the economic and social networks that existed within a given civilization.
"The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landscapes."
"It is usually considered an independent academic discipline, but may also be classified as part of anthropology (in North America – the four-field approach), history, or geography."
"Archaeologists study human prehistory and history, from the development of the first stone tools at Lomekwi in East Africa 3.3 million years ago up until recent decades."
"Archaeology is distinct from paleontology, which is the study of fossil remains."
"Archaeology is particularly important for learning about prehistoric societies, for which, by definition, there are no written records."
"Prehistory includes over 99% of the human past, from the Paleolithic until the advent of literacy in societies around the world."
"Archaeology has various goals, which range from understanding culture history to reconstructing past lifeways to documenting and explaining changes in human societies through time."
"Derived from the Greek, the term archaeology literally means 'the study of ancient history.'"
"The discipline involves surveying, excavation, and eventually analysis of data collected, to learn more about the past."
"Archaeology developed out of antiquarianism in Europe during the 19th century and has since become a discipline practiced around the world."
"Archaeology has been used by nation-states to create particular visions of the past."
"Various specific sub-disciplines of archaeology have developed, including maritime archaeology, feminist archaeology, and archaeoastronomy."
"Nonetheless, today, archaeologists face many problems, such as dealing with pseudoarchaeology, the looting of artifacts, a lack of public interest, and opposition to the excavation of human remains."