Provides twenty-one exercises covering the entire range of activities that historical archaeologists encounter, including studies of gravestones, probate inventories, ceramics, animal bones, and clay pipe stems. Deetz, James. In small things forgotten: An archaeology of early American life.
New York: Anchor. Uses archaeological research in colonial New England and Virginia to provide vignettes of daily life in the 17th and 18th centuries. This edition includes information about African American archaeology. Little, Barbara J. Historical archaeology: Why the past matters.
In thirty-one short essays, Little explains why people do historical archaeology and why their research is relevant to people living today. Morriss, Richard K. The archaeology of buildings. Stroud, UK: Tempus. The historical archaeology of Britain, c.
Stroud, UK: Sutton. Not a true textbook but an informative and useful overview of many different subjects pursued by historical archaeologists in Britain. Historical archaeology.
Some people are part-time historical archaeologists, in which case they mostly conduct small excavations on weekends and most of these people are self taught enthusiasts rather than scientists.
Museums often hire well established historical archaeologists to conduct excavations at sites where artifacts have been found in the past. The museum or its sponsors fund the dig and then pay for the archaeologists to conduct research at the museum to learn more about the relics that are found during the excavation. Some archaeologists conduct seminars and lead tours around museums to educate people about the finds that have been made.
Many archaeologists conduct excavations around the world and look for evidence of pre-historic civilizations, such as Stone Age man or the Neanderthals. For example, they might weigh all the oyster shells together or count all the nails and consider them as one unit. The locations of artifacts on the site provide clues to the kinds of activities that occurred. The type of material the artifact is made of is another important piece of information. It that can inform whether past people obtained the materials locally or by trading with another group.
Artifacts provide a window into the lives of peoples who lived before. A feature represents human activity but, unlike most artifacts, it cannot be removed from the archaeological site.
A feature might be a stain in the soil that is evidence of a former fence post. Photographs, drawings, and soil samples of the fence post hole collected by the archaeologist are part of the scientific record of that feature. Those documents and samples are just as important as the artifacts found nearby. Features like soil stains can reveal the outlines of prehistoric or historic structures such as houses, barns, longhouses, and earthen lodges.
Other types of features include hearths fire pits , storage pits, and middens—what archaeologists call garbage dumps! Privies outhouses are important features in historical archaeology sites, because people used to dump their garbage into them. Archaeologists have both ethical and legal obligations to preserve all the data they collect for the benefit of future generations.
This includes not just the artifacts recovered, but also the associated information and records. This includes soil samples, field notes, maps, photographs, drawings, and related historical documents. Archaeologists follow strict guidelines and procedures for cleaning, labeling, cataloguing, and storing objects. Each state has a responsibility to store the millions of artifacts recovered from surface collections or excavations within its boundaries.
Finding space for these collections is a major challenge. While some collections are stored in many locations around the state, other states have created centralized archaeology storage facilities. Universities and museums also sponsor archaeology projects and are responsible for preservation and storage. Archaeologists working at museums or universities may store their collections there.
The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology in Philadelphia is an example of a museum with important archaeology collections, which it stores, displays, and loans to other institutions for exhibitions.
These collections are also studied by scholars from all over the world. We preserve collections for both scientific research and public education. The application of new technologies and dating techniques to old collections yields valuable new information that may lead to new understandings about our human past. For instance, neutron activation analysis now allows us to trace the origin of the raw materials used in Maya ceramic pots, collected over a hundred years ago.
Both DNA analysis and atomic mass spectrometry AMS radiocarbon dating are being applied to plant and animal remains to study the origins of domestication. Archaeological collections are also preserved for use in museum exhibits so that the public may benefit from the archaeological research that unearthed them.
This way, we can all connect to the work that archaeologists do. About Archaeology. Home About Archaeology What do Archaeologists do? What is Archaeology? What do Archaeologists do? Archaeologists Share What they Do The Archiving the Archaeologists series is an oral history project of video interviews of archaeologists near retirement or already retired.
Historical Research Techniques Preparing for the Field Data Recovery In the Lab Preserving Collections The methods used by archaeologists to gather data can apply to any time period, including the recent past. Historical Research Techniques Archival research Archival research is often the first step in archaeology.
Oral History Oral history is another research method that archaeologists and historians may use to gather information. Top Preparing for the Field While historians and archaeologists both use written documents to learn about the past, only archaeologists interpret archaeological sites. How Do You Find Sites? Surface Surveys A surface survey is a systematic examination of the land.
Shovel Test Pits Shovel test pits or STPs are a series of narrow holes dug in an area that archaeologists believe to be a potential site, revealing artifacts or features. Archaeology is not only the study of these broad issues but also provides a history and heritage to many cultures. Nothing would be known of the cultural developments of prehistoric peoples if it were not for archaeology.
Additionally, archaeology paints a picture of everyday life for groups such as slaves, coal miners, and other early immigrant workers who were poorly documented by historians. Today, our culture seems to document everything through books, newspapers, television, and the Internet.
However, there is frequently a difference between what is written and what people actually do. Modern media often puts a "spin" on a story that reflects an editorial bias on what has taken place. Although the written record may be tremendously useful, it is biased by the beliefs and mistakes of those who produced them. Archaeology frequently provides a more objective account of our past than the historic record alone.
Our past is our cultural heritage, and how we choose to use this information for future generations is an important role for archaeologists. Understanding patterns and changes in human behavior enhances our knowledge of the past. It aids us in planning, not only our future, but for generations to come.
Many people believe that public archaeology is critical to understanding, protecting, and celebrating our rich and diverse cultural heritage. Archaeologists recognize the importance of this role and are developing various mechanisms of media outreach, publications, Internet, and public programs, to publicize the contributions of archaeology. Archaeological sites are evidence of human activity often associated with concentrations of artifacts.
Excavation of archaeological sites is a destructive process requiring systematic removal of soils and artifacts. Archaeological sites are similar to research laboratories where data is collected, recorded, and analyzed.
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