Archaeologists study the material remains of past cultures; they want to describe, explain, and understand the past. Often, the methods of archaeologists are similar to those of paleoanthropologists. However, while paleoanthropologists are interested in ancient human skeletal and dental remains, archaeologists are most interested in the cultural materials created or modified by human beings. Archaeological excavations of a site may yield artifacts such as animal bones, shells, tools, pottery, projectiles (such as arrow points), and burial material.
The three primary divisions within archaeology are prehistoric archaeology, historic archaeology, and cultural resource management. Prehistoric archaeologists study the remains of past cultures before there were written records. Historical archaeologists excavate sites in more recent history, such as plantations and slave quarters where there are documentary sources that complement the archaeological record. Archaeologists who work in cultural resource management are often employed by state and local agencies to manage historical and archaeological resources. Many work as contract archaeologists investigating whether or not there are archaeological materials in an area of land that will be developed. For example, when a new section of highway is planned, an archaeologist is hired to conduct test excavations at that location to determine if valuable archaeological materials are in the vicinity. If buried cultural materials are found, archaeologists determine how to excavate or mitigate the impact of the development on that site.
While we often see the results of spectacular archaeological discoveries in the news and on television, the reality is that reconstructing the past from archaeological remains is a painstaking process that does not usually involve hidden treasure. While the contents of an ancient Maya tomb catch our attention, archaeologists more typically strive to understand the wider cultural context of the materials they find. Through careful study, archaeologists are often able to find evidence of peoples’ diet, occupations, climate, patterns of exchange, and contact among cultures. You can watch a brief introduction to this kind of work in the video What is Archaeology?
Archaeologists study the material remains of past cultures; they want to describe, explain, and understand the past. Often, the methods of archaeologists are similar to those of paleoanthropologists. However, while paleoanthropologists are interested in ancient human skeletal and dental remains, archaeologists are most interested in the cultural materials created or modified by human beings. Archaeological excavations of a site may yield artifacts such as animal bones, shells, tools, pottery, projectiles (such as arrow points), and burial material.
While we often see the results of spectacular archaeological discoveries in the news and on television, the reality is that reconstructing the past from archaeological remains is a painstaking process that does not usually involve hidden treasure. While the contents of an ancient Maya tomb catch our attention, archaeologists more typically strive to understand the wider cultural context of the materials they find. Through careful study, archaeologists are often able to find evidence of peoples’ diet, occupations, climate, patterns of exchange, and contact among cultures. You can watch a brief introduction to this kind of work in the video What is Archaeology?