What’s the Dirt on Archaeology?

When you think of an archaeologist what comes to mind? Wide-brimmed dusty hats and heart racing adventures? Maybe brushing away soft sand from dinosaur fossils in the desert?  

There may be a few movies or TV shows that you’ve seen that depict archaeology in this way, but not everything you’ve seen is true!   

Learn about what archaeology really is and dive into current archaeology projects around California below! 

 

What is Archaeology, Really? 

Archaeology is the study of the ancient and recent human past through material remains. This means that archaeologists look at objects and natural features that people have interacted with to gain a better understanding of how people lived and connected with the world around them. 

 

Living in a Material World 

What do we mean when we say that archaeologists study material remains? Material remains are anything made, modified, or used by people. Click on the cards below to learn more about the types of objects archaeologists study.  

[click & flip activity. One side will state the word and the other side will state the definition] 

• Artifacts: objects made or used by people such as tools, pottery, and jewelry 

• Features: things that cannot be moved such as fire pits, the foundation of a home, or roads. 

• Ecofacts: natural items related to human activity such as plant and animal remains. 

 

[Need an icon to call these out] Try this! Look around your home and identify materials that would be considered artifacts, features, and ecofacts. What do you think the materials you selected would tell future archaeologists about you, your family, or your neighborhood?  

Diverse Discoveries 

Archaeology is a diverse field of study, meaning many people who study archaeology often become specialized in a particular time period, culture, artifact type, or even specific analytical techniques. Learn more about some of the different subfields of archaeology below. 

Think of your skills and interests. What type of archaeologist would you most like to become? 

[Need photos for each one] [click and flip photo with text on the other side] 

• Environmental Archaeologist 

• Studies past human interactions with the natural world. This includes plants, animals, landscapes, climate change, and more! 

• Archeoastronomists 

• Studies how past cultures understood and connected with celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars, etc.) in their lives.  

• Underwater Archaeologist 

• Examines and recovers information from submerged artifacts and underwater sites to learn more about the past.  

• Zooarcheologist  

• Studies animal remains from archaeological sites. Remains often include teeth and parts of bones. Zooarcheologists help to provide a more complete picture of the animals that were once present at a particular site and how the animals interacted with their environment and the people present.  

• Historical Archaeologist 

• Studies people and cultures who left written documentary records. Records may include letters, maps, or government documents.  

 

 

Try it!

Once you’ve had a chance to explore our digital museum, now it’s your turn to create a museum at home!  

Museums aren’t just spaces filled with old things – they tell stories. Museum collections help us learn about people, culture, ideas, the environment, creativity, and the list goes on and on. Today, you’ll have the chance to be a museum curator, a person who oversees a museum’s collections by acquiring new items, preserving them, and displaying them.  

 

Build Your Own Museum Activity 

Tell your story! Follow the steps below to build your own museum that reflects your unique personality.  

Step 1: Collect your Objects 

• Look around your home for no more than 10 objects that are special or interesting to you. When choosing objects, think about the  

• Examples could include: a book you love, a photo, art that you’ve created, a gift you’ve received, etc.  

Step 2: Curate and Create 

• Once you’ve gathered your objects think about each one and the story that it tells. Are there any connections you can see between the objects?  

• Museums usually display their collections with label copy. This is information about the collection item and includes details such as the name of the item, its age, and why it is significant. Pick 5 of your objects and create labels for them using a half sheet of paper for each or an index card along with pens, pencils, or markers. 

Use the following list to create your label or come up with your own ideas. 

• Name of object? 

• How old is your object? 

• Where was the object found/given? 

• Why is this object important? 

Step 3: Build Your Exhibit 

• Find a space in your home to display your objects. 

• Arrange objects in a way that communicates your story to those that will be visiting your museum.  

• Place your labels next to each item. 

Step 4: Tell Your Story  

• Invite friends or family to take a look at your museum collection. Act as a tour guide for them and tell them about each object and its significance.  

• With your parent or guardian’s permission, share photos of your museum with us! Tag us on social media @asm_publicarch