What does an Archaeologist do?

How do archaeologists excavate a site?

Arcaheologists might carry out a geophysical survey or dig test trenches or take an aerial photograph or make a detailed plan. The excavation (dig) beings and a JCB removes the topsoil. Spades and pickaxes are also used. When the topsoil is removed the archaeologist can now begin to look for remains in the past. Layers of earth are scraped away using a trowel. A hand-pick is used to loosen the soil. Archaeologists will use toothbrushes or brushes to not damage the object. Some objects are small so they are put in a sieve to make sure nothing is missed. When the object is uncovered a picture is taken of it.

How do archaeologists decide how old an object is?

Archaeologists can date objects by using stratigraphy, carbon dating and dendrochronology. Objects can be dated by the depth at which they are found. The deeper the object is the older it is. This is called stratigraphy. Carbon or radiocarbon dating is a method used to find the age of an object which was once alive. All living things contain carbon 14. The older an object is the less carbon 14 it has. Dendrochronology is used to date wooden objects. Each year a tree grows new ring. The number of rings inside the trunk tells you the age of the tree. By studying the pattern of these the archaeologist can guess the age of a wooden object.

What is archaeology?

Archaeology is the study of what has been left behind from people in the past. Archaeologists study man made objcects called artefacts.

How do archaeologists excavate a site?

If no objects are found wooden poles used to build houses leave dark round pathes called post-holes. A square dark patch might be a fireplace. Dark soil might be that the site could have been destoryed by a fire.