Archaeological Records

Definition

Archaeology is the study of the material remains of human activity, and an archaeological record is the evidence that informs such studies.

Introduction

The components of the archaeological record can include artifacts, which are objects that have been moved or altered through human activity (i.e., stone tools, plant remains, or bones from a butchered animal), or features, which are immobile alterations to a site (i.e., burial pits or fireplaces). Archaeological records are often ancient but may also include objects or activities that are quite recent. Prehistoric archaeology is the study of human societies that are typically pre-urban, without surviving written records. Historical archaeology is the study of sites where either oral or written records or accounts can be accessed to inform the interpretations of those sites. It should be noted that these written or oral accounts may either correspond with or conflict with the evidence obtained from the site through...