Unit 3 - Introduction - Digging up the past

True or false?

One of the things that archeologists look for when they do excavations is dinosaur bones.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This statement is false. Archeologists look for artifacts to learn about people and their cultures.

Which of these are examples of artifacts?

Check all that are.

• The crown worn by Regina Maria

• The pyramids of Giza

• Runes made by a Viking

• A scroll with writing on it.

Answer explanation

All of these are examples of artifacts. Remember, an artifact is a general term for an item made or given shape by a human.

Which of these can be considered an artifact?

• Animal bones found in a tomb from Roman times.

• Animal bones that have been sharpened found in a tomb from Roman times.

Answer explanation

In general, bones or any animal or human remains are not considered artifacts. However, animal bones that have been sharpened can be considered an artifact because they have been altered by humans when they sharpened them, probably to use them as tools.

How do historians learn about the past?

• They do excavations to find artifacts from the past.

• They study multiple sources from the past and make connections between them.

Answer explanation

Archeologists are the ones who do the excavations. Historians use artifacts and other sources to make connections between them, so they can get an understanding of the past events they are investigating.

True or false?

History and archeology are the only two disciplines within the Social Sciences that study the past.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

There are other disciplines that study the past such as anthropology and geography amongst others. In our unit, we are only focusing on history and archeology.