ArchaeologyDigging Up the Past

A misconception…

Less of this…

More of this…

What is Archaeology?

• Study of ancient sites and objects to learn about the past

– geographical areas and landscapes

– types of human-made object, such as pottery, coins, or writing materials

– types of human buildings and earthworks

– organic materials, such as human remains, wood, pollen, or poos

What is an Artefact?

• A portable object made by a human being

What does an Archaeologist do?

• Identify sites for study

• The “Dig” - an excavation to uncover the past

• Preserve artefacts

• Record, analyse, interpret, and publish archaeological remains

Tools used by Archaeologists

• Trowel

• Brush

• Measure

• Line

• Spade

• Dental tools

• Spirit level

• Modern technology – Radar, geo-physics, aerial photography

Famous Archaeologists

• Howard Carter – Tomb of Tutankhamen

• Gertrude Caton-Thompson – Great Zimbabwe

• Heinrich Schliemann - Troy

Famous Archaeological Sites

• Stone Henge

• Pyramids

• Inca Cities – Machu Picchu

• Pompeii

• Lake Mungo

How do Archaeologists find out how old something is?

• Absolute dating (more later on this)

• Two methods of relative dating

– Typology

– Stratigraphy

Typology – examples

Typology is used for all sorts of objects

Stratigraphy- lower layers are older