Archaeology Concepts and Practices

What are artifacts?

• Things that were made or used by people in the past.

• Ancient bones and fossils.

• Natural rock formations.

• Modern tools and machines.

What is the primary difference between an archaeologist and a paleontologist?

• Archaeologists study human history and artifacts, while paleontologists study natural history and fossils.

• Archaeologists dig in the ground, while paleontologists study things from space.

• Archaeologists use shovels, while paleontologists use brushes.

• Archaeologists study ancient civilizations, while paleontologists study modern societies.

What is the main goal of an archaeological survey?

• To mark spots for future excavation based on surface clues.

• To immediately dig up all discovered artifacts.

• To clean and preserve artifacts found on the surface.

• To study ancient maps and documents.

How do archaeologists keep track of the exact location of artifacts during an excavation?

• They label each artifact with a grid number and map its location.

• They take a photo of each artifact before removing it.

• They memorize where each artifact was found.

• They use GPS coordinates for every item.

What do archaeologists primarily do in the lab after an excavation?

• Analyze artifacts to determine their origin, use, and age.

• Prepare for the next digging expedition.

• Store all the artifacts in a museum.

• Clean the digging tools.