The Topic:  Archaeology

Easier - Archaeology is the study of ancient societies by scientists called archaeologists. Archaeologists dig up and study tools, bones, artwork, pottery, weapons, household items, and the ruins of buildings. The discovery of a few stone tools or ancient grains may reveal much about an early people. From these items, archaeologists learn about the people's customs and their way of life.

 

Harder - Archaeology is the scientific study of the remains of past human cultures. Archaeologists investigate the lives of earlier people by examining the objects they left behind.

 

Archaeology is considered a branch of anthropology, the study of humanity and human culture. Archaeological research is the main method for learning about societies that existed before the invention of writing (about 5,500 years ago), but also provides additional knowledge of earlier societies that did leave written records. Archaeology is unlike history; it deals with evidence. Historians generally study the lives of people as recorded in written documents. Archaeologists search for clues to how earlier cultures developed, lived, and died.

  

ArchNet 

http://archnet.asu.edu/archnet/

This massive site provides access to archaeological resources available on the Internet. Information is categorized by geographic region and subject.

 

Diggin' Up the Facts about Archaeology! 

http://tqjunior.advanced.org/5751/

At this ThinkQuest site, you can find details about archaeology, interviews with famous archaeologists, a glossary, and more.

 

Archaeological Adventure 

http://tqd.advanced.org/3011/

You can learn how archaeology works and investigate archeological sites from the past, in the present, and into the future.

 

Is The Past In Your Future? 

http://www.sha.org/sha_kbro.htm

This site lets you learn about careers in historical archaeology. 

Archaeology News Archive 

http://www.tamu.edu/anthropology/newsarch.html

Links to news stories relating to aspects of archaeology published on the web by ABC, CNN, USA Today, Washington Post, Nando, Archaeology, university press releases and other sources. Some services require that you register and select a password in order to retrieve articles, but none of the services listed here charge a fee to retrieve these news stories.

 

Archaeology Magazine 

http://www.archaeology.org/

Here you can get current archaeology news, stories, and theories from the official publication of the Archaeological Institute of America.

  

Teacher's Guide- Archaeology

http://www.ktca.org/newtons/11/archeogy.html

How do archaeologists kinow where to dig?

 

Lost City of Arabia (NOVA Online) 

http://web-cr05.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ubar/index.html

This site explains the search for the city of Ubar in Arabia, discusses how remote sensing helps archaeologists, and lets you prepare for your own expedition!

  

Passport in Time (PIT) 

http://www.passportintime.com

Learn about the PIT volunteer program of the USDA Forest Service. PIT provides opportunities for individuals and families to work with professional archaeologists and historians on historic preservation projects.

 

Remote Sensing Archeology Research (NASA) 

http://wwwghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/archeology/archeology.html

Learn how remote sensing satellites have offered new tools to researchers exploring human history.

 

What do Archaeologists do?

1) http://www.usd.edu/anth/midarch/archdo.htm

2) http://www.timelinesinc.com/nipmuc2.htm

Learn about their work.

archaeologist	excavation	test pit	archaeology	dig	site
culture	anthropology	scientific study	social scientist	notes	maps
wire screen	preservation	tree rings	radiocarbon dating	typology	seriation
classification	evaluation	dating	artifacts	features	ecofacts
strata	foot survey	potsherds	obsidian	record keeping	remote sensing