Studying people of the past using the objects they left behind.
Archaeology is the study of the past using objects that people have made, used, and left behind. Archaeologists are like detectives who use clues to solve mysteries about the past. They study ancient civilizations, their cultures, and how they lived.
Archaeologists can use the information they gather from artifacts and scientific methods to answer questions about the past, such as:
- What did people eat and wear?
- What tools and technology did they use?
- How did they build their homes and communities?
- What were their beliefs and customs?
Archaeology is an important field of study because it helps us to understand the past and how it has shaped the world we live in today. By studying the past, we can learn about our own origins and the different cultures that have come before us. We can also use archaeology to identify and preserve important cultural heritage sites.
How are archaeological sites formed?
Imagine you’re playing in the sandpit at school. You build sandcastles, dig trenches, and leave behind your toys. Over time, the sand gets covered up with leaves, dirt, and even more sand. Eventually, all that’s left of your playtime is a pile of dirt with some hidden surprises buried beneath.
Archaeological sites are formed in a similar way. When people live in an area, they leave behind all sorts of things – broken tools, pieces of pottery, even food scraps. Over time, these things get buried by layers of soil and other materials. This process is called site formation.
There are two main types of site formation: cultural and natural.
Cultural site formation happens when people intentionally or unintentionally add things to a site. For example, when people build a house, they leave behind bricks, nails, and other building materials. When people throw away their trash, they create a garbage pile.
Natural site formation happens when natural processes, such as erosion, deposition, and weathering, change the landscape and bury archaeological materials. For example, when a river floods, it can deposit layers of sediment over a site. When a tree grows, its roots can disturb the layers of soil and move artifacts around.
Archaeologists study site formation processes to understand how archaeological sites are created and how they have changed over time. This information helps them to interpret the archaeological record and learn more about the past.
Note to teachers: Try the ‘Archaeology in a box‘ activity to get the pupils to think about what it’s like to dig and find objects.