Dig It! Archaeology Resources
Archaeology is the study of human cultures by analyzing the materials (artifacts) left behind. It’s a field of study with many sub-disciplines that utilize different scientific techniques. It’s in archaeology that you might find an anthropologist, an engineer, a geologist, and an artist working on the same project. Discovering and preserving the past through archaeology is important because modern society and culture is a product of what came before. For many cultures and time periods there are no written records. Were it not for archaeology, much of what we know about past civilizations, and the daily lives of those that came before us, would be lost.
Archaeology Sub-Disciplines
Archaeologists often specialize in different sub-disciplines to process and analyze finds, date excavation sites, and create an overall picture of how a culture lived. Each of these sub-disciplines is vital to archaeological studies.
Archaeometry
Archaeometry analyzes the material of artifacts by using scientific techniques like radio carbon dating.
- What is Archaeometry? – An explanation of the science
- Archaeometry Laboratory – The University of Missouri’s archaeometry lab with information on the subject
- From Archaeology to Archaeometry – Trans-disciplinary research
- Institute for Materials Sciences – The kinds of materials tested and the tests being done
- Munich Archaeometry Group – Using scientific analysis of to sort and categorize artifacts
Botanical
Botanical archaeology studies seeds, pollen, and plant material to understand climate change and the ethnographic uses of plants by past civilizations.
- Palaeoworks – A database to aid archaeobotanical research
- Archaeobotany – Resources on botanical archaeology
- Paleobotany Holdings – The paleobotanical collection from the University of California
- Archaeological Palynology – A branch of Archaeobotany
- Archaeobotanical Database – Part of a research project investigating prehistoric plant development in the Middle East and Mediterranean
Ceramics
The use of clay is almost universal in every culture. The utility, manufacture and design of a culture's ceramics provides many clues about their lifestyles and values.
- The Windsor Tradition – A virtual catalogue of prehistoric ceramics from Southern England
- Worcestershire Ceramics Database – A database containing information on all potteries made in the Worchestershire area from 4,000BC to 1650AD
- St. Mary's University Database – A large archaeological database of ceramics
- The Perseus Database – Search vases in the archaeological record
- Ceramic Identification – How ancient ceramics are categorized and indentified
Ethnoarchaeology
Ethnoarchaeology is the study of past traditions and arts used by societies and how they connect to the lives of cultures today.
- The African Diaspora Archaeology Network – A focal point for news, information, and resources on the African Diaspora
- Viking Bronze – A step-by-step demonstration of how Viking bronze was formed
- Tradition and Tree – Maine Native American basket making
- Inagina – A film on a 1,000 year old iron ore technology in Mali
- Ethnoarchaeology in India – Traditional hereditary bronze casters in Tamil Nadu
Faunal
Faunal archaeology is the study of animals found at historic sites.
- International Council for Archaeozoology – An organization dedicated to promoting research in the field
- Zooarchaeology Laboratory – Part of Harvard’s Peabody Museum, it houses samples and collections
- West Runton Elephant Project – Excavating ancient elephants
- Archaeozoology – Projects involving archaeozoology
- Archeozoo – A collection of data and information the study of animals at archaeological sites
Geoarchaeology
Geoarchaeologists use the skills and techniques of the earth sciences when studying archaeological sites.
- Geoarchaeology – A definition and samples of research reports
- Geoarchaeology in Iowa – A survey of geoarcheology in Iowa
- Gray's Reef – Geoarchaeology being done a the Gray’s Reef National Maritime Sanctuary
- Education and Associations – A paper on educational programs and organizations dedicated to geoarchaeology
- The Geological Society of America – The archaeological geology division
Historic Archaeology
Historical archaeology is the study of human cultures using a range of techniques to analyze the remains of physical sites, artifacts, and historical records.
- The Society of Historical Archaeology – Organization dedicated to furthering historical archaeology
- Archaeology News – The latest news in archaeological discovery
- Public Archaeology in the US – Information about the historic sites under the care of the National Park Service
- World Archaeology – Information about archaeological sites all over the world
- Pompeii – The official website for the ruins of Pompeii, a major site for historical archaeologists
Lithics
Lithics refers to the study of stone tools and technology. Basic stone tools can fall into this category, as can large statues or carvings.
- The Lithics Society – An organization promoting the advancement of lithic industries
- Lithoacoustics – Music in the stone
- What's the Point? – Identifying stone artifacts
- SARC – The Stone Age Reference Collection
- Easter Island Research Project – A project to study the famous stone heads on Easter Island
Archaeology Journals
There are several professional journals dedicated to various aspects of archaeology. Some concentrate on regions or time periods, while others cover a broad range of topics.
- American Journal of Archaeology – An online journal with articles on issues in archaeology
- Oxford Journal of Archaeology – Covering a broad range of archaeological sciences and history
- European Journal of Archaeology – A journal dedicated to archaeology in Europe
- Journal of Caribbean Archaeology – Journal articles that concentrate on the archaeology of the Caribbean region
- Journal of Archaeological Science – The science and technology used in the field of archaeology
Archaeology Museums
Most history museums will have a department or areas dedicated to archaeology and artifacts found in archaeological digs. In every country, there are museums that have entire collections geared to archaeological sites and finds.
- Jorvik Viking Centre – See the Viking past of York, England with this interactive museum and historical site.
- Vindolanda – Visit the remains and artifacts of an ancient Roman fort in Northern England.
- The Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology – Located in Beijing, China, this museum’s collection focuses on China’s past
- Alexandria Archaeological Museum – Exploring America’s colonial past in Alexandria, Virginia
- National Archaeological Museum of Athens – One of the largest archaeological museums in the world, the Athens museum provides a comprehensive look at early Greek civilization.
