Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
How We Find Out About the Past
2 The Work of the Archaeologist
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
At the end of this chapter you should understand ...
•What is archaeology?
•How archaeologists find sites for excavation.
•How archaeologists excavate sites.
•How archaeologists investigate what they have found.
•The role of conservation in archaeology.
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
What is Archaeology?
Archaeology is …
the story of the past from material remains
Archaeology is …
the story of the past from material remains
Artefacts are …
objects made by people, such as axes,
spears, pots, coins and rings
Artefacts are …
objects made by people, such as axes,
spears, pots, coins and rings
Prehistory is …
the history of people before writing was
invented
Prehistory is …
the history of people before writing was
invented
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
Finding Sites for Excavation
Above ground
________________
-Castles
-Forts
-Canals
-Older buildings intowns and cities
Any other sites aboveground?
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
Finding Sites for Excavation
Below ground
________________
-Chance discoveries
-Stories fromHistory
Example: The Siegeof Troy
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
Finding Sites for Excavation
Aerial photography
Underwater evidence
Crops overa wall
Crops overa ditch
Crop marks
Below ground
________________
-Geophysical survey
-Aerial photography
-Underwater evidence
Examples: Titanic,Lusitania, SpanishArmada
Geophysical survey
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
What is Rescue or Salvage Archaeology?
Why is this an example of rescue archaeology?
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
Excavations
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
What are each of these tools used for in anarchaeological dig?
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
Testing the Evidence – Dating
Radio-carbon dating
Radio-carbon dating
Tree-ring dating
Tree-ring dating
Coins and pottery
Coins and pottery
Stratigraphy
Stratigraphy
Dating
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
Stratigraphy
How does stratigraphyhelp date objects?
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
Tree-ring dating – Dendrochronolgy
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
Evidence from Post-holes
What evidence do post-holes provide?
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
Other evidence – Bodies and Bones
What evidence can archaeologists get from bodies andbones?
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
Reconstructing a Head
What evidence can archaeologists getfrom reconstructing heads?
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
Evidence Preserved and Destroyed
How evidence is preserved
•In tombs, bodies buried incoffins and sealed tombs.
•In the desert, the heat driesout objects, which stops themdecaying.
•In peat bogs: waterloggedbogs preserve objects.
•By volcanoes, which canpreserve bodies and objects.
How evidence is destroyed
•By building work, such asroads, buildings, new fields.
•By storms and battles, whichdestroy ships.
•By war, which destroys townsand cities.
•By volcanoes, which candestroy buildings and objects.
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
Conserving the Past
Conservation is …
the protection and preservation of
ancient objects so that they do not decay.
Conservation is …
the protection and preservation of
ancient objects so that they do not decay.
How does History helptourism?
Chapter 2 | The Work of the Archaeologist
Top Tourist Attractions – Where is the History?
FactFile
The 10 Most Popular Tourist Attractions in the Worldin 2013 voted by TripAdvisor
1 Machu Picchu, Peru
2 Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
3 Taj Mahal, Agra, India
4 Petra World Heritage Site, Wadi Musa, Jordan
5 Bayon Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia
6 Great Cathedral and Mosque, Cordoba, Spain
7 Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood,St Petersburg, Russia
8 St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Italy
9 Ancient City Walls, Dubrovnik, Croatia
10Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny), Krakow,Poland
FactFile
The Top 10 Landmarks in Ireland in 2013 byTripAdvisor
1 Kilmainham Gaol
2 Trinity College (including the Book of Kells)
3 Glasnevin Cemetery and Museum
4 Chester Beatty Library
5 Blarney Castle and Gardens
6 Kilkenny Castle
5 Newgrange
8 Rock of Cashel
9 Dun Aengus, Aran Islands
10Charles Fort, Kinsale