An archaeologist is a scientist/historian that studies historic and prehistoric people and environments. Archaeologists must have a wide basis of knowledge, drawing from art history, classic studies, geology, geography, chemistry, and many other areas of expertise.

Archaeologists practice their science in three ways: survey, excavation, and analysis.

A survey is an attempt to locate the site of a place of interest such as a house or settlement. Surveying relies heavily on technology and is typically step in an archaeological search.

Excavation is the most expensive procedure in archaeology. Through excavation archaeologists uncover artifacts, inscriptions, monuments, and remains. It is through this process archaeologists discover and examine of tombs, buildings, tools, and pottery.

When information and artifacts have successfully been gathered from surveyed and excavated sites, it’s time to analyze and categorize what has been found. This is the most time-consuming process of archaeology.

One Popular study in archaeology is Egyptology, the study of ancient Egyptian history. This includes the deciphering of hieroglyphs, the writing system utilized by the ancient Egyptians.

Copyright © ProjectExplorer 2009
Text: Clare Fogerty
Image: Archaeological site of Palatine Hill in Rome, Italy by Jenny M Buccos