Archaeologists Flashcards
what is archaelogy?
Archaeology is the study of what has been left behind by people from the past
What’s an artefact?
Man made objects found underground
E.G Pottery
weapons
buildings
How do objects end up in ground?
Some are lost
some are buried for SAFE KEEPING
Bodies were buried in pre- Christian times,with objects that it was believed they would need in afterlife
Overtime abandoned buildings will covered by soil
In cities, old buildings will be knocked down and new buildings built over them.
How well are objects preserved in the underground?
Objects found in very hot or very wet conditions are sometimes well preserved.
Very hot conditions - bogs
very wet conditions - deserts
Define the word research archaeology and rescue archaeology
Some sites are chosen because there is a reason to believe that objects might be found.This is called research archaeology
Archaeologists often dig on a site before a road or a new building is built,to make sure that no other evidences from the past are lost.This is called rescue archaeology
Define the words excavate and survey
Excavate- When archaeologists dig in the ground looking for a remains from the past
Survey- A study carried out on a site before archaeologists start digging.
How do archaeologist excavate a site?
A survey of the site is carried out which helps the archaeology decide where to start digging.
Archaeologist might carry out a geophysical survey,this is like an X ray,using a machine to look at the soil underneath the surface.
Aerial photographs are taken to show the size of the site and can show features that may be missed in the ground.A detailed plan is then made.
Excavation or dig then begins.
How do archaeologist decide how old an object is?
Name three important methods.
Stratigraphy
carbon dating
Dendrochronology
Name four instruments an archaeologist would use to excavate a site.
Handpick
trowel
sholvel
pickaxe
Give two methods used by archaeologists to locate sites for excavations.
Research and rescue archaeology
Name one difficulty an archaeologist might encounter while digging on a site.
Storm or bad weather - heavy rain
Define these three words
dendrochronology
Stratigraphy
Carbon dating
Dendrochronology
is used to date wooden objects by looking at the number of rings inside the trunk
Stratigraphy
how objects are dated by the depth at which they are found.
Carbon dating - or also called radio carbon dating is a scientific method used to find the age of an object.
Who were the Mesolithic people?
Hunter gatherers and they were the first people who settled in Ireland.
What’s the other name for Mesolithic?
Middle Stone Age
How do we know them?
Archaeologist found evidence of their lives at Mount Sandel near Coleraine,Co. derry
