The process of excavating human remains can be a physically delicate, culturally sensitive matter that must be completed with care and precision. When handled with necessary care, it can yield extraordinary insights into the health, diet, migration patterns, and social organization of past civilizations. If approached carelessly or without ethical consideration, it can cause lasting […]
Archaeology is often associated with excavation, yet digging is not always the most responsible or effective way to study the past. In many cases, leaving a site undisturbed can better protect cultural heritage, safeguard contextual information, and allow future generations to investigate with improved technologies and ethical frameworks. Excavation is Destruction Excavation is […]
How do archaeologists make sense of thousands of years of human history without written records? The Three Age System was one of the first frameworks that helped make sense of human prehistory, organizing thousands of years of innovation into a clear technological timeline. What is the Three Age System? The Three Age System is […]
As an aspiring archaeologist, it can often be difficult to attain research positions in archaeology, perhaps due to lack of archaeology opportunities locally or other circumstances. Below are some of my tips for obtaining a research position or getting research published in archaeology for the first time. 1. Contact Local Professors One of the […]
Archaeology is often imagined as a discipline dedicated solely to discovering buried history, yet a growing body of work suggests it holds value far beyond historical reconstruction. In recent years, archaeologists and clinicians alike have begun exploring how hands-on engagement with the past can support emotional wellbeing and create opportunities for meaningful social connection. […]
Archaeology and history is not always a black and white matter. If archaeologists unearth a 2,000 year old artifact, should it belong to the land it came from, the people who find it, or the museum that preserves it? This question is the core of the debate of repatriation in archaeology. What is Repatriation? […]
When archaeology comes to mind, it is usually history and moments that have long past. Many see archaeology as solely studying relics and ruins of the past, believing the past is in the past. However, archaeology has vast applications in the modern-day and future, ones you may not even realize. Archaeology in the Present […]
Climate change has damaged precious cultural resources and altered conditions at many sites, changing how archaeologists approach sites in the modern day and will in the future. Threats to Archaeological Sites In most cases, climate change has considerable negative impacts on archaeological sites, destroying or damaging important contexts which provide crucial information about our […]
Below are several significant discoveries in archaeology I have compiled from the past few months, which have offered archaeologists novel insights into the way of life of past civilizations. June 5th, 40000-Square-Foot Roman Villa Discovered in Auxerre, France Just a few miles south of Auxerre, in the French region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, archaeologists discovered a […]
Ethics in archaeology have constantly evolved as the field has matured and greater respect has been gained for indigenous and local cultures. While some resort to unethical means to earn profit and gain prestige, archaeologists seek knowledge, and do so respectfully and carefully. Who Owns the Past? The question of “who truly owns the […]
As a high schooler interested in archaeology, I often found it difficult to find ways to get involved. Archaeology is a field that fewer high school students pursue compared to other STEM areas, which can make opportunities seem scarce. Don’t let that discourage you! More often than not, all it takes is reaching out. Many […]
When most people hear the word “archaeology”, they often imagine booby traps, hidden temples, and dusty treasure maps. However, the field is much more complex than Hollywood leads us to believe. Depiction in Media The media’s version of archaeology is often sensationalized or romanticized, focusing on treasure hunting, dramatic discoveries, and ancient curses […]
Background: Dr. Nancy Gonlin is a distinguished archaeologist and professor of anthropology at Bellevue College, WA, USA, specializing in the ancient Mayas and broader Mesoamerican civilizations. She has pioneered research on nighttime activities in ancient societies, founding the subfield known as the Archaeology of the Night. Her work explores household archaeology, social inequality, and cultural ecology, […]
Are you a parent, teacher or elementary schooler looking to dig into archaeology? This cookie excavation activity is one of my favorite hands-on activities to give young archaeologists their first taste of the field! Materials Toothpicks Brushes Chocolate chip cookies (use a chewy cookie to simulate soft soil and a crunchy one to simulate […]
Ben Fitzhugh has made substantial contributions to Sub-Arctic and Arctic archaeology through his extensive research, which explores the social and cultural evolution of arctic and subarctic maritime hunter-gatherer societies. As a professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Washington in Seattle, Dr. Fitzhugh focuses on understanding the complexities of these ancient communities […]
All about my experiences and thoughts on CRM as a high schooler passionate about archaeology! What is CRM? Cultural Resource Management (CRM) is the practice of preserving, protecting, and managing cultural heritage sites, artifacts, and historical resources. CRM professionals ensure that important cultural and historical resources are not destroyed, especially in the process of construction […]
One of the most important clues archaeologists use to understand how people lived in the past is the age of a site or its artifacts. But how do so when there are no obvious indications of their age? Dating (not that kind of dating!) and its Importance Dating it the use of various methods […]
Over the past month, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in an archaeology field school for the very first time. This enriching program was led by the University of Wyoming excavation at a site in La Prele, Wyoming, one of Wyoming’s oldest archaeological sites, dating back nearly 13,000 years. This site provided a captivating […]
Artificial Intelligence’s productivity and immense potential could reshape archaeology as we know it. When thinking of Artificial Intelligence, archaeology usually isn’t the first thing to come to mind. However, AI has the potential to drastically transform the field of archaeology through its ability to process large amounts of data, create precise models, examine artifacts, and […]
