2: Getting in the Dirt- How do we do archaeology?
- Page ID
- 303165
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 2.1: The Archaeological Process
- This page explores the archaeological process as a flexible series of steps tailored to specific projects, challenging misconceptions that it only involves fieldwork. It highlights the significance of planning, collaboration with communities, cultural resource management (CRM), and ethical considerations. Funding, permits, and curation are critical components that influence project success.
- 2.2: Archaeological Surveys and Remote Sensing
- This page discusses the significance of archaeological surveys using GIS and Remote Sensing for cultural resource management. It covers methodologies like pedestrian surveys and shovel test pits, data collection using digital tools, and the visualization of findings through GIS software. Technologies like UAVs, radar, and LiDAR enhance mapping accuracy and non-invasive site analysis.
- 2.3: Digging In- Excavating Archaeological Sites
- This page emphasizes the importance of archaeological excavation, detailing its methodology, ethical considerations, and significance within the broader field of archaeology. It outlines excavation phases in the U.S. and the need for careful planning, tool usage, and meticulous documentation. Ethical practices, especially collaboration with descendant communities, are highlighted alongside the necessity for inclusivity and responsible sharing of findings.
- 2.4: Dating Methods in Archaeology
- This page examines the evolution of archaeological dating methods, distinguishing between relative and absolute techniques. It highlights key advancements, including the integration of technology and sciences in dating artifacts. Notable methods discussed include radiocarbon dating, K-Ar dating, luminescence techniques, and chemical analysis. The text emphasizes the importance of contextual understanding in archaeology and addresses ethical considerations in handling artifacts and remains.
- 2.5: Ancient Technologies- Analyzing the Artifacts of the Past
- This page studies prehistoric Native American tools, ceramics, metalwork, and textiles to understand ancient cultures and technologies. Groundstone and flaked tools reveal dietary practices and trade, while ceramics inform on social dynamics and craftsmanship evolution. Metallurgy and textiles display unique regional developments, analyzed through various archaeological methods.
- 2.6: Ancient Foodways- Zooarchaeology and Paleoethnobotany
- This page examines the fields of zooarchaeology and paleoethnobotany, emphasizing their methods and contributions to understanding ancient human diets, resource utilization, and environmental interactions. It discusses challenges in analyzing faunal and botanical remains, including identification techniques and the importance of context. Innovative methods like flotation and microscopy are highlighted for recovering and analyzing plant and animal materials.
- 2.7: Bioarchaeology - Interpreting Human Behavior From Skeletal Remains
- This page provides an overview of bioarchaeology, highlighting its role in understanding human remains from archaeological contexts. Key themes include the analysis of skeletal data for demographic and health insights, the ethical implications of working with Indigenous remains, and the importance of taphonomy in interpreting burial practices.
- 2.8: Historical Archaeology
- This page discusses the field of historical archaeology, which goes beyond documents to study artifacts, oral histories, and cultural interactions in post-contact North America. It emphasizes the experiences of marginalized groups, such as Indigenous peoples and enslaved Africans, enriching historical narratives by examining social dynamics, colonialism, and everyday life.
Thumbnail: Tools are laying out on a piece of wood. (Unsplash License; Trnava University via Unsplash)


