Archeology Flashcards
Archaeology
The careful excavation of an area where humans have lived to learn more about people of the past
Excavation
The careful digging and examination of a place where humans of the past lived
Site
A place where humans have lived which is being studied by archaeologists
Archaeologist
A scientist who studies past human activity through the excavation of archaeological sites
Artifact
Any item made or modified by humans. Archaeologists are looking for these during excavations
Dating methods
The ways that Archaeologists determine the age of artifacts
History
The study of the past which includes explaining past events and human behavior
Archeological record
The information stored and excavated in an archeological site
Stratigraphy
The layers of earth which contain the archaeological record at a site where humans have lived for many years. The oldest artifacts are usually the deepest below the ground
Sources
Items historians use to learn about the past. May include artifacts, information from the archeological record and can be both written and non-written. Some sources are considered primary and some are considered secondary. All types of sources can be very valuable in learning about the past
Written sources
Writing left by human of the past which provides information to archeologists and historians. Non-written source : Artifacts, buildings, art work, and other material left by humans of the past which provides information to archeologists and historians
Primary source
something created by a human who was personally present during a specific historical event which can be used to learn about history. Examples include letters, autobiographies, diaries, newspaper articles, photographs, film taken during an event and artwork
Secondary source
Something created by a human who was not personally present during a specific historical event that can be used to learn about history. Examples include encyclopedias, films about an event, books, biographies, some artwork.Cultural Diffusion: When ideas and inventions are spread from one group of people (culture) to another group of people through contact amongst people
Independent invention
When two groups of people (cultures) develop a similar idea or invention but have not had contact with one another