Archaeology:Archaeology:The Search for Who The Search for Who

We Were and How We We Were and How We Became Who We AreBecame Who We Are

By Cheri Awtrey

Selecting a site…• Sites are chosen for many

reasons. Often there is some history of artifacts being found in an area by the people living there. Their help is often vital in finding the right spot to explore.

• Exploration may begin with shovel tests to see what kinds of materials lie within the upper surface of the soil.

Work begins…

• Once a site is chosen the real work begins. The team moves in with a variety of tools to begin to find what secrets may lie beneath the surface.

These are the tools…

Work continues…

• First a grid is laid out on the area so that any artifacts that are found may be correctly mapped. It can be very hard work to get the grid lines straight. That right triangle is very important!

And work continues…

• A good worker keeps the tools sharp and clean for easier work.

• Beneath the sod is the plow zone which often extends many centimeters below the surface and must be removed a little at a time, always watching for small artifacts.

And work continues…

• Small flakes and fragments of rock (lithics) are cause for excitement since these indicate human handiwork. A large biface like that shown in the picture are a cause of great joy!

And work continues…

• Although hot and tired, the archaeologist works on, finding bits of bone, pottery, and stone indicating that there was once human habitation at this site.

Once a feature is found…

• Features are found below the plow zone.

• They may be filled with artifacts indicating how the people lived here.

• They are excavated in thin layers with careful mapping of materials found.

And work continues…

• A feature may simply look like a stain in the soil. This can indicate the presence of decayed remains (a garbage pit). Here the archaeologist makes careful work of exposing, mapping, and removing artifacts for further study.

The dirt that is removed is sifted to look for any missed

artifacts.

And the work continues…

And the work continues…

• Photographic records of items in context help in later interpretation.

• The orientation of the feature and its size are both important.

And the work continues…

• Careful mapping including the depth at which an object is found is essential

And the work continues…

And the work continues…

And the work continues…

And the work continues…

• Once the artifacts have been mapped and carefully removed, they are returned to the lab for cleaning and preservation.

Artifacts are washed…

Cleaned artifacts are catalogued and stored…

After all that hard work, what do we have?

A chance to put together the details to recreate lives.

The opportunity to see how someone else lived long ago.

The gift of knowing a little more about who we are and

our origins.

After all, people all over the world started with the same

kinds of tools.

ArchaeologyArchaeology

The history you learn about is your own.

• Note: This PowerPoint presentation was created by a teacher participating in an ESEA Title II grant-funded project for use in the teachers' classrooms. It reflects the individual’s experience at a particular site and is not intended to accurately reflect what happens on all archaeological investigations around the country or world.

•The teacher participated in professional development activities provided by:

• Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center• University of Wisconsin - La Crosse• 1725 State Street• La Crosse, WI 54601• Web site: http://www.uwlax.edu/mvac/• All material Copyright © 2000-2005 Mississippi Valley

Archaeology Center at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse