Why did the archeologist go bankrupt? Because his career was in ruins!
According to the Society for American Archaeology, “Archaeology is the study of the ancient and recent human past through material remains.” This might include studying million-year-old fossils of our earliest human ancestors in Africa or even 20th-century buildings in present-day New York City. “Archaeology analyzes the physical remains of the past in pursuit of a broad and comprehensive understanding of human culture,” the SAA explains.
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
And if you’re interested in delving deeper into your understanding of the past, we’ve got the perfect list for you right here. We’ve gathered some of our favorite posts from the ArcheoHistories Twitter account down below, so you can channel your inner Indiana Jones and learn a bit more about our wonderful world. Be sure to upvote the pics that blow your mind, and then let us know in the comments what the most fascinating archeological fact you know is. And if you’re looking to learn even more about archeology after finishing this piece, be sure to check out this Bored Panda article next.
#1
Image credits: histories_arch
#2
Image credits: histories_arch
#3
Image credits: histories_arch
The ArchaeoHistories Twitter account is still quite young, as it was launched in January 2022, but it already has over 134k followers. The page captivates readers by sharing fascinating images of ancient jewelry, artifacts, ancient architecture, ancient furniture and much more. They are sure to always provide a brief description of where these findings came from, what year or time period, where the piece is today, and whatever other information they may have on the image. This way, followers are able to learn a bit of a history lesson while they view the fascinating photos.
And because many of us have a very general understanding of archaeology (or maybe it’s just me! Any archaeologists out there?), I’ve consulted the Society for American Archaeology’s website to learn more about this interesting field of study. According to SAA, most archeologists focus on a specific region of the world or a particular topic of study. The world is just too vast to know it all, and having a specialization allows archaeologists to become experts in their chosen field.
#4
Image credits: histories_arch
#5
Image credits: histories_arch
#6
Image credits: histories_arch
There are a wide variety of archaeologists as well, specializing in anything from human remains (bioarchaeology) to animals (zooarchaeology) to ancient plants (paleoethnobotany) to stone tools (lithics). They can even focus on technologies that are used to find, map and analyze archaeological sites or study the remains of human activity that are hiding underwater or on coasts. Worldwide, most archaeological methods are similar, but in the Americas, archaeology is actually a subfield of anthropology. Everywhere else, it is its own independent field.
When it comes to what qualifies as an archeological site, the definition is quite broad. Any place where there is physical evidence of past human activity counts, so there are a wide variety of archaeological sites on the planet. These could be ancient villages, modern cities, shipwrecks, cemeteries, old factories, battlefields, stone quarries, campsites, a pile of chipped stones left by prehistoric hunters, and much more.
#7
Listen beautiful relax classics on our Youtube channel.
Image credits: histories_arch
#8
Image credits: histories_arch
#9
Image credits: histories_arch
Because there is such a wide variety of archaeological sites, artifacts can also be many different things. As the SAA explains on their site, “Even the smallest archaeological site may contain a wealth of important information.” Artifacts can be any objects made, altered, or used by humans, and they can be portable like tools or non-portable, such as fences and pieces of ancient structures. Artifacts can provide great insight into what a community was like and how they lived.
One of the most important things archaeologists must keep in mind when doing their research is context. Basically, it just means that when an artifact is found, everything known about it must be recorded. Exactly where it was found and what condition it was in are vital to understanding an object’s time period and use. Without keeping meticulous records on the context of each artifact found, the pieces essentially become useless in a historical setting.
#10
Image credits: histories_arch
#11
Image credits: histories_arch
#12
Image credits: histories_arch
There is infinite information out there that could fall under the umbrella of archeology, so you might be wondering what most archaeologists actually spend their time doing. Well, according to SAA, archival research is typically the first step in archaeology. This is when they dig deep (not literally, yet) into the written records of their specific field, so they understand the context of what is already known before doing any new research of their own. This can include spending countless hours in public or university libraries, studying at local historical societies or courthouses, or even visiting people’s homes. They must understand exactly what has been found and recorded at their sites before diving in themselves, and this requires an intense amount of research.
#13
Image credits: histories_arch
#14
Image credits: histories_arch
#15
Image credits: histories_arch
Oral history can also be very valuable to archaeologists. Not everything is recorded on paper or published in libraries. Sometimes, archaeologists need to sit down with the locals and hear what stories have been passed down by word of mouth from generation to generation. Archaeologists often collaborate with descendants people who lived in notable areas to understand the traditions and cultural significance of a place, and speaking one-on-one to individuals can be the best way to understand exactly where they are coming from. It’s one thing to read about traditions and cultures in a book, but it can be much more impactful and educational to see, hear, and experience these traditions in person.
#16
Image credits: histories_arch
#17
Image credits: histories_arch
#18
Image credits: histories_arch
Where archaeologists split off from historians is when they move into their field work. This involves the visiting of sites and often leads to manual labor. Most of us associate digging with archaeologists, but actually, SAA notes that the most important piece of equipment is the trowel. These are vital for scraping away thin layers of soil from test units or holes found in the ground. But archaeologists do require a full set of tools to complete their work, including something to dig, sift, measure and analyze any artifacts they find. And while some of these tools are specialized for the field, others are simple, everyday objects such as tape measures, toothbrushes, dustpans, and more.
#19
Image credits: histories_arch
#20
Image credits: histories_arch
#21
Image credits: histories_arch
I hope you have been reading this list with the Indiana Jones theme song blaring through your head, and if you haven’t, well, you can always start playing it right now. Enjoy this list of fascinating artifacts, and be sure to keep upvoting the pictures of artifacts that you wish you had discovered. Let us know in the comments if you have any archaeology fun facts to share with your fellow pandas, and if you want to check out even more of these amazing photos, you can find the ArcheoHistories Twitter account right here.
#22
Image credits: histories_arch
#23
Image credits: histories_arch
#24
Image credits: histories_arch
#25
Image credits: histories_arch
#26
Image credits: histories_arch
#27
Image credits: histories_arch
#28
Image credits: histories_arch
#29
Image credits: histories_arch
#30
Image credits: histories_arch
#31
Image credits: histories_arch
#32
Image credits: histories_arch
#33
Image credits: histories_arch
#34
Image credits: histories_arch
#35
Image credits: histories_arch
#36
Image credits: histories_arch
#37
Image credits: histories_arch
#38
Image credits: histories_arch
#39
Image credits: histories_arch
#40
Image credits: histories_arch
#41
Image credits: histories_arch
#42
Image credits: histories_arch
#43
Image credits: histories_arch
#44
Image credits: histories_arch
#45
Image credits: histories_arch
#46
Image credits: histories_arch
#47
Image credits: histories_arch
#48
Image credits: histories_arch
#49
Image credits: histories_arch
#50
Image credits: histories_arch
#51
Image credits: histories_arch
#52
Image credits: histories_arch
#53
Image credits: histories_arch
#54
Image credits: histories_arch
#55
Image credits: histories_arch
#56
Image credits: histories_arch
#57
Image credits: histories_arch
#58
Image credits: histories_arch
#59
Image credits: histories_arch
#60
Image credits: histories_arch
#61
Image credits: histories_arch
#62
Image credits: histories_arch
#63
Image credits: histories_arch
#64
Image credits: histories_arch
#65
Image credits: histories_arch
#66
Image credits: histories_arch
#67
Image credits: histories_arch
#68
Image credits: histories_arch
#69
Image credits: histories_arch
#70
Image credits: histories_arch
#71
Image credits: histories_arch
#72
Image credits: histories_arch
#73
Image credits: histories_arch
#74
Image credits: histories_arch
Source: boredpanda.com