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ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology Introduction What kind of discipline is Archaeology : It is a science…why? • Careful, logical examination that follows specific processes in an attempt to validate or negate an hypothesis . – Definition: Attempt to rebuild the history of an area by discovering and studying its material remains (artifacts). • Artifact: Anything made by humans. Examples: tools, buildings, inscriptions.

ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology Introduction

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Page 1: ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology Introduction

ARCHAEOLOGYArchaeology Introduction

• What kind of discipline is Archaeology :– It is a science…why?

• Careful, logical examination that follows specific processes in an attempt to validate or negate an hypothesis .

– Definition: Attempt to rebuild the history of an area by discovering and studying its material remains (artifacts).

• Artifact: Anything made by humans. Examples: tools, buildings, inscriptions.

Page 2: ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology Introduction

ARCHAEOLOGY Introduction

• Who is the Archaeologist:– The scientist attempting to prove or disprove an

hypothesis.• The archaeologist is also a kind of historian. • He/She is a vital resource for other historians.

– What they discover helps historians write histories.

• **Remember the gladiator artifact from the article

Page 3: ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology Introduction

Archaeology Introduction

• Archaeology is a Science:

Page 5: ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology Introduction

ARCHAEOLOGY Types

– Nautical: Undersea archaeology. Special equipment. Mediterranean and other seas.

Page 6: ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology Introduction

ARCHAEOLOGY Types

– New World: Archaeology conducted in the Americas. Examples: Native American, Inca, Maya, Aztec.

Aztec Calendar

Mayan Temple

Page 7: ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology Introduction

ARCHAEOLOGY Types

– Old World: Archaeology conducted in Europe. Examples: Viking, British, Celtic.

Viking animal headCeltic Tombstone

Celtic Beehive Hut, Ireland

Page 8: ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology Introduction

ARCHAEOLOGY Introduction

– Classical: The archaeology of the great civilizations: Egypt, Greece, Rome, Middle East.

Roman Road

Charioteer of Delphi, 6th century BC

Fallen Warrior, 5th century BC

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CONDUCTING A “DIG”

Dig=Excavation

Excavation: Process of digging up an archaeological site.

#1 rule: “All excavation is destruction”

Page 11: ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology Introduction

CONDUCTING A “DIG”

Step 2: Obtain Funding:• Universities• Museums• Private donations

Page 13: ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology Introduction

CONDUCTING A “DIG”

Step 4: Obtain Workers:

Some will be paid, some volunteersForeman: directs work parties.

Knowledgeable.

Work Parties: Each consists of:

-experienced

-laborers

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CONDUCTING A “DIG”

….Other workers:

-Specialists:

Architect Epigraphist

Botanist Surveyor

Artist

Photographer

Anthropologist

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CONDUCTING A “DIG”

Step 8: teams work in a 3-5 meter grid. Each section of grid is numbered and lettered.

Step 9: Each work group digs their section, labeling all finds as to where found and on what level. Drawn/photo.

In-situ: location where an artifact was discovered

Balks: Areas not excavated in order to preserve strata.

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CONDUCTING A “DIG”

Step 10: After each day, all finds are looked over and catalogued.

Yearly Process: After excavating top of mound to bottom of newest level, continue with lower levels, one at a time.

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CONDUCTING A “DIG”

Most sites are located on mounds (Tells)

-Tell: a mound created by successive occupation of the same area. New city built on top of old one. Over time a mound is formed.

There could be numerous occupation levels in a mound

Page 19: ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeology Introduction

CONDUCTING A “DIG”

• Levels (Strata). Each period of occupation is considered a level.– Uppermost levels are

the latest.– Lowest levels are the

earliest.

(remember, the new city is built on top of the old one)

Step trench