tutorial paper

Archaeology is the study of past human activity through discovering and analysing the materials that they have left behind. Archaeological studies involve a vast range of time periods extending from millions of years ago up until more modern dates within the 21st century. One of the main goals as an archaeologist is to reconstruct the past human behaviour from the materials they have to analyse. Most cultures with writing systems leave written records that archaeologists can use to assist them with their study. Some of the most valuable written records are everyday items such as shopping lists and tax forms (National Geographic 2014). However, because archaeological discoveries date back millions of years, often research addresses time periods before written records were present. In cases like this, archaeologist depend largely on the discovery of artefact and ecofacts obtained from excavations of their sites.

An artefact is an object that has a direct relation to a human being, something that was made or modified by humans. For example, tools, jewellery and clothing and even materials used for food are all forms of artefacts (Collins Dictionaries 2014). Artefacts are important sources of information, especially if there are no written records of the site. They can tell archaeologists about the diet, tools, weapons and the way these humans who made or used the artefacts lived. Where artefacts are found on the site can also unearth the kinds of activities that occurred, wether that be food preparation, weapon production or even trading. Additionally, the materials that makeup the artefact provide crucial evidence because they are able to determine whether they were obtained by trading with other groups (Society for American Archa...

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Works Cited

Beta Analytic Radicarbon Dating 2014, Radiocarbon Dating and Archaeology, viewed 24 April 2014, .

Collins Dictionaries 2014, Collins Dictionaries, viewed 21 April 2014, .

National Geographic 2014, Archaeology, viewed 21 April 2014, .

Poole, M 2014, Discovering the Past: An Introduction to Archaeology, viewed 23 April 2014, .

Society for American Archaeology 2014, Archaeology for Educators, viewed 23 April 2014, .

World Wide Words 2014, Ecofacts, viewed 22 April 2014, .