What Does An Archeologist Do?

Question 1

Excavate

Answer 1

When archaeologists dig in the ground looking for remains from the past

Question 2

Survey

Answer 2

A study carried out on a site before archaeologists start digging

Question 3

Research archaeology

Answer 3

This is when a site is chosen because there is evidence that objects could be found

Question 4

Rescue archaeology

Answer 4

Archaeologists sometimes dug on a site before a new road or building is built to make sure no evidence from the past is lost

Question 5

Post-Hole

Answer 5

Post-holes are dark round patches left in the ground and provide evidence of wooden poles used for building houses

Question 6

Stratigraphy

Answer 6

This is the dating of objects by the depth at which they are found. The deeper an object is found, the older it is

Question 7

Carbon/ radiocarbon dating

Answer 7

All living objects contain carbon 14. When they die the amount of carbon declines - the older an object, the less carbon 14 is left

Question 8

Dendrochronology

Answer 8

This is used to date wooden objects (e.g. Buildings or ships). Each year a tree lays down a new ring. The number of rings in the trunk tells you how old the tree is. This allows archaeologists to estimate the age of an object.

Question 9

DNA

Answer 9

In recent years archaeologists have used DNA testing to find out more about skeletons. DNA is present in the cells of our bodies. It is passed from generation to generation. DNA samples taken from bones can be matched with the DNA of living relatives to identify the body

Question 10

Artefacts

Answer 10

Objects made by humans, e.g. Coins, tools, poetry