About Cave Archaeology
Caves and rock shelters can preserve evidence for very long periods because they protect deposits from weather and erosion. Some contain art, hearths, bones, tools, and ancient DNA.
Rock Shelters
Explore the key ideas behind rock shelters.
Learn MoreCave Art
Explore the key ideas behind cave art.
Learn MoreHearths
Explore the key ideas behind hearths.
Learn MoreStone Tools
Explore the key ideas behind stone tools.
Learn MoreSediments
Explore the key ideas behind sediments.
Learn MoreBones
Explore the key ideas behind bones.
Learn MoreAncient DNA
Explore the key ideas behind ancient dna.
Learn MorePreservation
Explore the key ideas behind preservation.
Learn MoreRock Shelters
Rock Shelters gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Cave Art
Cave Art gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Hearths
Hearths gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Stone Tools
Stone Tools gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Sediments
Sediments gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Bones
Bones gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Ancient DNA
Ancient DNA gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.
Preservation
Preservation gives archaeologists evidence about people who lived in the past. Researchers document location, layers, materials, damage, associated objects, and environmental context before drawing conclusions. An artifact by itself can be interesting, but its exact location and relationship to other finds often provide the most useful information. Archaeology also depends on conservation, ethics, local laws, collaboration with descendant communities, and careful scientific recording.