"Archaeology or archeology is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture."
Learn the fundamentals of archaeology, including excavation, recording, and interpretation techniques.
History of Archaeology: This topic covers the history of the study of archaeology, from early discoveries and excavation methods to current practices.
Anthropology: Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures, and it is essential to the understanding of archaeological sites and their material evidence.
Geology: Geology is the study of the Earth's crust, rocks, and minerals, and is crucial to understanding the environment in which archaeological sites were formed.
Geography: Geography encompasses the study of the physical and cultural landscapes of the Earth, including how human societies have interacted with their environments over time.
Archaeological Methodology: This topic covers the methods used by archaeologists to excavate, analyze, and interpret archaeological sites.
Dating Methods: Dating methods are used to determine the age of archaeological sites and artifacts, and include techniques such as radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology.
Site Formation Processes: Site formation processes are the ways in which archaeological sites are created and altered over time, including natural processes such as erosion and human activities such as construction and agriculture.
Material Culture: Material culture refers to the artifacts and other material remains left behind by past societies, including tools, pottery, and architecture.
Fieldwork: Fieldwork is the process of excavating and documenting archaeological sites, and involves a range of techniques and methodologies.
Cultural Heritage: Cultural heritage is the the legacy of past societies and their cultural practices, including the preservation of archaeological sites and artifacts.
Conservation: Conservation is the process of preserving and protecting archaeological sites and artifacts for future generations.
Ethics in Archaeology: Ethics in archaeology covers issues such as the responsible conduct of research, the treatment of human remains, and the protection of cultural heritage.
Archaeological Theory: Archaeological theory encompasses the theoretical frameworks used to understand the past, including functionalism, cultural evolution, and post-processualism.
Space Archaeology: Space archaeology is the use of remote sensing technologies, such as satellites and aerial photography, to identify and study archaeological sites from a distance.
Archaeological Data Management: Archaeological data management involves the organization and preservation of archaeological data, including the creation of databases and digital archives.
Remote Sensing: Remote sensing techniques like radar, lidar and satellite imagery are used to study archaeological sites from a distance, without physically disturbing the site.
Geophysics: Techniques like ground penetrating radar (GPR) and resistivity measurement are used to map the subsurface of a site and identify hidden archaeological features.
Aerial Photography: Aerial photography is used to capture images of the landscape from the air, which can reveal hidden archaeological features that are not visible from the ground.
Archival Research: Archival research involves the study of historical records and documents related to a site, which can provide important context and information about the site’s history.
Excavation: Archaeological excavation involves the physical removal of soil and debris from a site, allowing archaeologists to study the layers of soil and uncover artifacts.
Anthropology: Anthropology involves the study of human cultures and societies, including their beliefs, practices, and material remains.
Ethnoarchaeology: Ethnoarchaeology is the study of modern-day cultures and societies to help archaeologists understand how past societies might have lived.
Archaeozoology: Archaeozoology involves the study of animal remains found at archaeological sites, which can provide clues about ancient diets and the use of animals in daily life.
Dating Techniques: Dating techniques are used to determine the age of archaeological artifacts and sites, which can help archaeologists place them in the correct historical context.
Conservation: Conservation involves the preservation of archaeological sites, artifacts, and other cultural resources, to ensure their long-term survival for future generations.
Underwater Archaeology: Underwater archaeology involves the study of submerged archaeological sites and artifacts, which can provide important information about ancient seafaring and maritime cultures.
Space Archaeology: Space archaeology involves the use of satellites and other space-based technologies to study archaeological sites and landscapes from space.
"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."