DIGGING UP THE PAST

ARCHAEOLOGY
WHAT IS ARCHAEOLOGY?
Archaeology comes from the Greek archaia (ancient things), and
logos (science or theory).
Archaeology is the study of the material remains of the past. Without
this science and the work of archaeologists, we would know very little
about ancient humans.
Archaeologists are specialists in the study of early humans and early
civilizations because we have few, if any, written records from this
era. To understand this early period in our history, we depend on
physical remains.
Archaeologists are like detectives, they search out physical clues to
solve the mysteries of the past.
WHAT DO ARCAEOLOGISTS DO?
Archaeologists work at a dig site to gather data, and then spend the
majority of their time in a lab analyzing this data. They eventually write
reports on their findings for other people to read about and learn from.
The type of work an archaeologist does requires a lot of patience and
perseverance, and isn't quite as exciting as the "Indiana Jones" movies
make it seem! Depending upon where they are located, some dig sites
may be extremely hot and not have any running water (or bathrooms)
nearby!
Archaeologists excavate for four kinds of information: They look for
Evidence about past environments. Things such as seeds, animal bones
and soil. These are called Ecofacts.
Evidence of things people made or did that can't be moved, such as house
floors or hearths. These are called Features.
Evidence of the tools or other items that people made and that can be
moved or carried. Objects like arrowheads or pottery are called Artifacts.
Organic materials, such as animal and human bones or their fossilized
remains. The recognizable remains, or the impressions left by them, of a
plant or animal preserved in the earths crust are called Fossils.
WHY DO ARCHAEOLOGISTS EXCAVATE?
HOW DO ARCHAEOLOGISTS FIND SITES?
There are many ways that an archaeologist find sites. First of all, an
archaeologist knows what environmental factors humans have always
needed in order to stay alive. These include easy access to water,
location on a trade route, and a geographic location that allows for
natural protection. With this information in mind, an archaeologist can
study maps to locate likely places where prehistoric people may have
lived.
In addition to this, archaeologists often learn of sites when construction
companies clear land to build houses, shopping centres, etc., and they
uncover artifacts. Most states have laws that require construction crews
to report their discoveries of artifacts and features to a local
archaeologist.
Once in a while a farmer might happen upon an artifact while working
in the field. Archaeologists appreciate learning of these discoveries, and
having landowners cooperate with them by giving them permission to
investigate these potential sites.
THEY FIND ARTIFACTS, THEN WHAT?
Archaeologists study the finds at various sites to unravel some of
the mysteries surrounding how humans lived. They are assisted in
their detective work by other closely associated scientists called
anthropologists, paleontologists, and paleoanthropologists.
Anthropologists are scientists who study the origin, development,
distribution, social habits, and culture of humans.
Paleontologists examine the fossil remains of animal and plant life
to understand past geological periods.
Paleoanthropologists combine the work of both these scientists.
HOW ARE ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS DATED?
Radiocarbon or carbon-14 dating is used as a way to determine the age of a
find. Physicist Willard F. Libby of the University of Chicago discovered
this method in 1948.
Carbon 14 or C-14 is an unstable or radioactive form of carbon that has
eight neutrons, rather than the six associated with ordinary carbon or
carbon 12.
All forms of life have organic molecules containing carbon atoms, and
have about the same ratio of C-14 atoms to other carbon atoms in their
tissues. When an organism dies, the C-14 begins to decay. In radiocarbon
dating, the fewer the C-14 atoms, the older the organism.
The rate of decay is steady. The half-life of C-14 is about 5730 years. In
other words, in 5730 years, half of the C-14 will have decayed. The next
quarter decays after another 5730 years. After 50,000 years, there is little
measurable C-14 left. Therefore, radiocarbon dating works well for
relatively recent objects from the distant past.
MORE ON DATING
To date older materials other techniques are needed.
Thorium decay and transformations can be used to date items between
100,000 and 500,000 years old.
In rocks, the decay of potassium 40 to argon 40 can be used to date
specimens from 500,000 to millions of years old.
The decay of rubidium to strontium can be used to date archaeological
finds into the billions of years.
Archaeologists have other methods as well. Sometimes they measure
the amount of surface decomposition on certain stone tolls or the
amount of thermo luminescence visible when ancient pottery is heated.
During the 1980s, Derek York of the University of Toronto developed a
new dating technology using lasers. This method made it possible to
get an accurate date from a single microscopic crystal of volcanic
material.
ARCHAEOLOGY IS NOT PERFECT
Some problems with archaeology..
Limited sources available due to climate, environment, or human
encroachment.
The Archaeologists cultural, religious, or political bias may blur
scientific research.
Government in power may limit archaeological finds or taint
interpretations.
Personal ambitions may taint the interpretations of artifacts/finds.
Over excitement may impair judgment and interpretation.
Existing interpretations or theories may colour the interpretation of new
finds.