About Archaeological Excavations
Excavation is a controlled scientific process, not treasure hunting. Archaeologists remove deposits carefully, record exact locations, and preserve context so evidence can be interpreted later.
Survey
Explore the key ideas behind survey.
Learn MoreGrids
Explore the key ideas behind grids.
Learn MoreStratigraphy
Explore the key ideas behind stratigraphy.
Learn MoreExcavation Tools
Explore the key ideas behind excavation tools.
Learn MoreRecording
Explore the key ideas behind recording.
Learn MoreSoil Changes
Explore the key ideas behind soil changes.
Learn MoreContext
Explore the key ideas behind context.
Learn MoreConservation
Explore the key ideas behind conservation.
Learn MoreSurvey
Survey 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.
Grids
Grids 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.
Stratigraphy
Stratigraphy 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.
Excavation Tools
Excavation 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.
Recording
Recording 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.
Soil Changes
Soil Changes 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.
Context
Context 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.
Conservation
Conservation 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.