Archaeology Definitions

prehistory

before writing

primary source

first hand pieces of evidence that was written or made at an event (by an eyewitness)

kitchen midden

human kitchen garbage

scientific dating

objects are dated more accuratly by analyzing them in a lab ex. dendrochronology, radio carbon dating.

historian

person who studies and writes about the human past

pottery shard

piece of broken pottery found in an archaeological dig

cultural dating

process of gathering information. Archaeologist use this method when comparing objects they already have. absolute dating or relative dating

anthropologist

scientist who studies the physical characteristics and cultures of humans & their ancestors

secondary source

something made or written after the event (not by an eyewitness)

paleolithic

the cultural period belonging or being from the earlist chipped stone tools

archaeology

the study of material remains such as graves, tools,and pottery from past human life & culture

Precambrian Era

time period about 4 1/2 billion years ago

fossil

trace or imprint of a plant or animal that has been preserved in rock

artifacts

weapons or tools or other things made by humans

excavation

act or process of digging , to hollow out