Archaeological Methods

Ancient History Archaeological methods

How to excavate ancient Objects

1 Measure up a grid system, letter and number grids

2 Datum point

3 Baulk walls 5cm across

4 take level down evenly with trowel and dust pan

5 Sift dug dirt as not to have missed anything

6 once an object is found measure the depth of the artifact, spit level

7 record placement

8 registration, number artifact

9 Tag and bag

Archaeological methods

Major Problems with interpreting evidence

a) Fragmented-Jigsaw puzzle-distorted picture

b) Value-Judgment-Judging importance to own culture

c) Bias- inaccuracy cannot

take on face value

What Archeologist look for

Buildings

Artifacts

Ancient sites

Tombs

Paintings

Sculptures

Remains, Bones/Corps

Inscriptions

Plant and animal remains

Coins/ Jewellery

Rubbish

How Artifacts are preserved

Volcano ash

Water logging

Ice

Heat (fossilized)

Bog pits

Different ways that sites are located

Magnetic clues

Electric clues

Surfaces Markings

Ancient legends

Ancient texts/maps

How Tombs are helpful

Usually have items in it

Most significannot

way of learning about a culture

Methods-Burial customs

Artifacts- Cups, religious items etc

Archaeological Methods

1 Datum point, The permanent