Archaeologists love to share their discoveries with the public. Their websites offer daily news and articles about intriguing finds.
One site highlights the burial of a woman in 13th-century Northamptonshire country, England. The grave was filled with a necklace of gold, garnet and semiprecious stones that may have belonged to a high-status woman.
National Geographic
National Geographic is a non-profit organization founded in 1888 to support the “increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge.” The Society was initially a membership-based organization, with its official journal — later shortened to National Geographic Magazine — being published nine months after the society’s founding. The magazine is instantly recognizable with its trademark yellow border running around the edges of its covers. It’s currently published in more than 40 local-language editions and has a combined global circulation of over six million monthly readers.
The Society has an extensive range of other publications, television channels, and worldwide events. Its headquarters are in Washington, D.C., with other facilities in London and Sydney. The Society also operates a number of retail stores.
Many of the archaeology news discoveries that make headlines in National Geographic are made by the Society’s research teams. These include the discovery of the wreck of RMS Titanic, which National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Robert Ballard helped locate in 1985 using sonar. The expedition found hundreds of artifacts from the ocean liner, including furniture and lighting fixtures.
Liberty University distinguished professor and archaeologist Randall Price was featured in a 2017 National Geographic article about his work on the Dead Sea Scrolls. His team uncovered jar fragments, scroll wrappings, and worked leather that indicate the scrolls were once stored in a cave near Qumran.
In the past, National Geographic has aired a number of archaeological documentaries. Its narrator-driven specials have featured scientists such as Jacques Cousteau, Jane Goodall, and Louis Leakey. Southern Oregon University research archaeologist Chelsea Rose, who appeared on a series of documentaries for National Geographic and is the author of a 2017 book intended to pique girls’ interest in archaeology, returned to TV screens this summer with a new show on Wild West history for the National Geographic Channel.
Project Archaeology
Project Archaeology is an educational initiative that brings archaeological research to teachers and students. Its mission is to foster a greater understanding of past and present cultures, improve social studies and science education, and enhance citizenship education to help preserve our nation’s archaeological heritage. The program’s high-quality curricular materials model authentic archaeological inquiry, integrating science (STEM) with literacy and mathematics.
Archaeologists begin a project by carefully formulating a systematic plan to execute the research, known as a “research design.” This is usually done with the help of previous surveys and excavations that have been published in journals that are widely available. This step also includes identifying any consultants and volunteers who may need to be brought on board to help with the project. It also involves obtaining necessary permissions from federal, state and local governments as well as tribal authorities.
One of the most important roles of a project archaeologist is to serve as liaison between field archaeologists and field workers as well as the management team from the company or organization that funds the excavation. He or she will also be responsible for writing progress reports as the project progresses, and at its conclusion.
Another important role of a project archaeologist is the identification of archaeological sites that are suitable for excavation. It is not uncommon to find ancient burial mounds and earthworks as well as prehistoric ruins and houses in urban settings. However, it is also possible for an archaeological site to be located in a more remote setting, such as an abandoned mining camp or the site of a homestead.
Many archaeological discoveries are made by accident. A good example is the discovery of the first iron bridge at Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire, England. In addition, archaeologists have found artifacts in river valleys through geophysical surveys and by following clues from old literary sources, such as the story of Ptolemy Soter, a general who became the first pharaoh of Egypt.
Popular Archaeology
The public’s view of archaeology is often shaped by films and TV shows that depict digs as dangerous and exotic. These popular images of archaeologists as adventurers are misleading, but they can also help to create an interest in history and the past. The public wants to learn more about the past and its cultures, and archaeology can provide many exciting stories and artifacts.
Several of the more well-known archaeological publications have websites that share archaeological news and discoveries with the general public. These sites have articles, photos and videos. They may also feature interactive maps that allow users to see and explore an area. In addition to online content, many of these publications also offer print editions that can be purchased for home use.
One such website is Current Archaeology, which claims to be Britain’s Favorite Archaeology Magazine. The site offers archaeology news, features and museum and book reviews. It also has a listing of upcoming archaeological digs that amateur archaeologists can participate in.
Prehistoric archaeology is the study of civilizations that did not develop written records, which means that archaeologists have to rely on other clues about these ancient societies. For example, the unique projectile points discovered in the Clovis culture of North America helped archaeologists determine when that culture lived.
Some archaeological finds are made by accident. Farmers plowing their fields might discover sherds of pottery or a construction crew might unearth ruins under a building. These accidental finds often lead to archaeological excavations, such as the discovery of 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers at a mausoleum for China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huangdi in 1974.
Other major archaeological discoveries are related to pressing world events, such as the restoration of a long-lost tomb at Notre Dame in Paris or the rediscovery of a vast pre-Hispanic mural in the Amazon. The latter discovery has been called “one of the biggest archaeological surprises of recent years.” Other pressing discoveries include the discovery of ancient urns in Ukraine to aid in the fight against ISIS, as well as the discovery of a 2,600-year-old stash of mummy embalming tools in Egypt.
Current World Archaeology
Current World Archaeology is a magazine that covers the world of archaeology. The magazine features articles on various archaeological finds from around the globe. It also contains firsthand accounts of the writers’ experiences visiting archaeology sites. This magazine is a must-read for any archaeology lover.
The journal is known for its broad comparative approach to the field of global archaeological history, and it has been at the forefront of the development of international archaeology for over thirty years. The journal publishes articles on all aspects of the discipline, from Egypt and the Ancient Near East to classical Greece and Rome. It also covers prehistory and the earliest phases of human history.
In addition to its articles on the archaeological past, the journal also features news stories about recent discoveries. It has an excellent readership among archaeology enthusiasts in the UK and across the world. It is also a good source of travel information for those planning to visit archaeological sites.
One of the most interesting issues of this magazine is a feature on the discovery of the remains of a Viking settlement in Scotland. The article describes the excavation of a settlement that dates back to 1,000 AD and was discovered by an amateur archaeologist. The discovery was made in a small village in the Scottish Highlands.
Another notable issue of this journal is an article about the emergence of other types of identity in past peoples. This article argues that the identification of European men as the only possible type of identity in historical archaeology is an example of Eurocentrism. The authors suggest that recognizing other types of identities may help to combat the current state of Eurocentrism in archaeology.
Ancient Origins
Archaeology, or the study of ancient cultures, encompasses everything that humans have made and discarded over time. This includes anything from the earliest stone tools to ruins of temples and tombs, as well as the artifacts that linger in present-day trash dumps. Archaeologists use objects as clues to reconstruct the past, and the science behind them — such as radiocarbon dating and carbon dating — is an important part of many other subjects taught in school, including chemistry, biology, physics, and earth sciences.
Unlike history, which often relies on written records, archaeological findings provide a direct window into the daily lives of people in the past. Since most prehistoric civilizations did not develop writing systems, examining the remains of their buildings and other artifacts can be one of the only ways to learn about these groups.
Although the focus of an archaeologist is on the past, some also practice experimental archaeology, replicating the techniques that people used in order to understand their work and lifestyles. These include re-creating workshops, homes, and other aspects of ancient life to find out how the ancients created their features and artifacts. One famous example is the Kon-Tiki raft, which Thor Heyerdahl built in 1947 to prove that early Polynesians, using the same materials and techniques as modern seafarers, could have crossed the Pacific Ocean.
Historic archaeology also contributes to religious studies, allowing historians to interpret the significance of various religions in the world’s past. The Dead Sea Scrolls, for example, are a collection of tightly rolled parchment and other writing sheets found between 1947 and 1956 in caves near the Dead Sea in Israel. The scrolls contain the oldest known versions of biblical texts, psalms, and prophecies.
Conclusion
In the world of archaeology, groundbreaking discoveries continue to unravel mysteries of our past. Through meticulous excavation and cutting-edge research, ancient civilizations come to life, enriching our understanding of human history. As technology and methodologies advance, the future of archaeology promises even more astonishing revelations, providing invaluable insights into our collective heritage.
FAQs:
- What is archaeology? Archaeology is the scientific study of human history and prehistory through the excavation, analysis, and interpretation of artifacts, structures, and other physical remains left behind by past civilizations. It aims to reconstruct past cultures, societies, and lifestyles to understand human development and evolution over time.
- Why is archaeology important? Archaeology is vital as it helps us connect with our roots and comprehend the trajectory of human existence. By studying the past, archaeologists provide critical context for modern societies, shedding light on cultural diversity, technological advancements, and environmental interactions throughout history. It also safeguards and preserves cultural heritage for future generations.
