| Archaeology is the study of the primitive era of | | | | cameras attached to airplanes and balloons. |
| humankind. It is the study of the human cultures through | | | | Techniques like infrared wavelengths, radar technology |
| various methods that include field study i.e. surveyance | | | | and thermographs are also used for aerial survey. |
| and excavation and laboratory analysis of the | | | | There are several textbooks on archaeology that help |
| materials recovered from the past. The materials may | | | | in understanding the survey methods, in detail. |
| include documents, landscapes, fossils, bifocals, and | | | | Excavation - Excavation often leads to ethical issues |
| artifacts. The goal of these studies may differ. | | | | since it may lead to destruction of the site. In order to |
| Sometimes, the study is done to determine the age of | | | | reduce the damage, researchers use sampling |
| a particular artifact, site or a part of a site. At other | | | | methods before excavating a site. However, this is the |
| times, it aims at studying the history of human culture, | | | | only method of physically acquiring primitive remains. |
| its evolution and the ecology of the prehistoric | | | | Analysis - Laboratory analysis is the next step after |
| societies. Archaeologist use different methods and | | | | the artifacts or remains have been collected through |
| techniques to study the history of the earth. Here, we | | | | survey or excavation. It is the most time consuming |
| shall discuss the common methods and techniques. | | | | and it may take years before a report on the |
| Methods of Archaeology | | | | archaeological evidence is published by researchers. |
| Survey - This is the most common way to begin an | | | | However, an analysis of the remains gives a great |
| archaeological project. An archaeologist will | | | | insight into the past. |
| systematically locate a region where he would carry | | | | Virtual Archaeology - This method was invented in |
| out the survey. The survey method was not used | | | | 1995 wherein computer graphics and 3D models |
| before, Earlier; researchers would excavate the plainly | | | | began to get used for further study. Normal |
| visible features at monumental sites. However, modern | | | | photographs may be used to build 3D models and |
| day researchers use different survey methods like | | | | create a virtual world of the past. Computer stimulation |
| surface survey, aerial survey, geophysical survey and | | | | was used to recreate the environment for a better |
| regional survey. Under surface survey, the land is first | | | | understanding. |
| surveyed based on the settlement patterns and | | | | Apart from these methods of studying evidence, it is |
| structures of the ancient civilization. The researchers | | | | important to identify the dates. Researchers may use |
| try to gather information about primitive cultures and | | | | different techniques to determine the age of the |
| use mini-excavation methods. Some of the | | | | archaeological evidence. The following two techniques |
| mini-excavation techniques include augers, corers and | | | | are commonly used. |
| shovel test pits. Aerial survey is conducted by using | | | | |