Archaeology is a continuously evolving field where there is a constant stream of new branches and excavation methods. Due to the influx of new technologies and innovations in recent decades, archaeologists have been able to excavate previously inaccessible areas. For example, new diving equipment and tools such as proton magnetometers, side-scan sonar, sub-bottom profiler, and miniature submarines have allowed archaeologists to dive into the deep depths of the ocean. As a result, the branch of underwater archaeology was created to search for shipwrecks and other artifacts on the ocean floor. Underwater archaeology’s role has increased in recent years as it allows archaeologists to more accurately interpret the past by supplementing information gained through traditional land excavations. A prime example of the possible contributions of underwater archaeology is the Ulu Burun shipwreck. The Ulu Burun shipwreck is the remains of a Late Bronze Age (~1600 – 1050 BCE) trading vessel dated to about 1300 BCE. The shipwreck was discovered in 1982 off the coast of Ulu Burun, near the modern city of Kas, Turkey. This fifty-foot long vessel was resting at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea at a depth of approximately 150 feet. Eleven sets of excavations were conducted from 1984 to 1994 in order to deliver the artifacts to the surface for analysis. From this wreck site, archaeologists now have a more detailed and precise understanding about the trade and distribution of commodities in the Late Bronze Age. With very little textual information available from this time period, archaeologists knew very little about the items that were traded, cultures that traded with each other, and the trade routes. The Ulu Burun shipwrecks acts as a time... ... middle of paper ... ...e Late Bronze Age are presented in underwater archaeology. As a result, there should be a greater push for archaeologists to explore more of the ocean in order to learn about the past. Works Cited Bass, George F. "A Bronze Age Shipwreck at Ulu Burun (Kaş): 1984 Campaign." JSTOR. American Journal of Archaeology. Web. 20 May 2012. . Bass, George F. "Oldest Shipwreck Reveals the Splendors of the Bronze Age." National Geographic 1987. Print. Bowens, Amanda. Underwater Archaeology: The NAS Guide to Principles and Practice. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub., 2009. Print. Gates, Charles. Ancient Cities: The Archaeology of Urban Life in the Ancient Near East and Egypt, Greece, and Rome. London: Routledge, 2003. Print. Renfrew, Colin, and Paul Bahn. Archaeology: Theory Methods and Practice. London: Thames & Hudson, 1996. Print.
Turfa, Jean Maclntosh. American Journal of Archaeology. N.p.: Archaeological Institute of America, 1977. JSTOR. Web. 30 Nov. 2013.
The archaeology of shipwrecks is an academic field that focuses on studying and exploring shipwrecks of the past. The shipwrecks discovered all around the world serves as a bridge to understanding the past and the lost cultural heritage, and teaching lessons on “how the environment and human error can damage each other.” One of the most famous and historic shipwrecks that helped shape the United States’ maritime warfare is the USS Monitor. Through the help of modern underwater technology, the shipwreck of the USS Monitor is an incredible discovery because of its historical impact in America’s bloodiest conflict. The USS Monitor’s shipwreck is very significant because of its innovative design, its historic role in the Civil War, and its artifacts
This was the first underwater archaeology operation using self-contained diving apparatus and marked the beginning of underwater archeology.
If you ask the majority of citizens in the United States about their opinion on the validity of geography-based cultural heritage claims, chances are they will either look at you like you are crazy or dive into an explanation about the most recent show they saw on the history channel about the repatriation of the Kennewick Man. Like any other topic, a person’s scope of knowledge in regards to archaeology is limited to the material that they have been exposed to. In today’s society, the majority of this information is gleaned from popular media sources such as National Geographic, the History Channel, Wikipedia, and other mainstream “educational” resources. Although very popular, these resources often offer interpretations that sensationalize and misrepresent archaeological data. The media is the main conduit of educational information and therefore, has a societal obligation to accurately portray archaeological findings and data.
The antiquities market is a system that has always been met with resistance, especially among those within the scholarly community of archaeologists. Many archaeologists and scholars have argued against this market, stating that it is a detriment to archaeology. On the other side, those in favor of this market have provided reasons to show why they believe it to be a solid system. Both sides have their merit in regards to this controversial issue. However, when looking at the antiquities market as a whole, it has shown to be an effective system that can actually work hand in hand with the scholarly community, rather than against it. The key takeaway from the antiquities market is that it helps to preserve the past, something which all archaeologists strive to achieve.
Discussions in the 1970’s and 1980’s within both sides of the debate indicate population change, behavior change and natural processes to be the large determining factors (Attenbrow, 2004). Many archaeologists accepted there was a continuing increase over time in the number of archaeological sites established and used, as well as in the number of artefacts accumulated in individual sites, particularly in the past 5000 years (eg. Johnson 1979:39; Bowdler1981; Morwood 1984:371, 1986, 1987; Ross 1984, 1985:87; Beaton 1985: 16-18; Fletcher-Jones 1985: 282, 286; Lourandos 1985a: 393-411, 1985b: 38; White and Habgood 1985; Hiscock 1986) (Attenbrow, 2004). Population change refers to the changes in number of people or size of the population, behavioural changes referring to changes to activities such as tool manufacturing, subsistence practices as well as the use of space within a site (Attenbrow, 2004). Whilst natural processes include geomorphological and biological process that may have affected the archaeological record (At...
Lee, Jane J. "5 Shipwrecks Lost to Time That Archaeologists Would Love to Get Their Hands On." 24 March 2014. National Geographic.com. 3 May 2014. .
Archaeologists, the world over, search excavations, caves, oceans, and ancient civilizations for information about past lives, the occupants and their cultures. Hoping to find extraordinary artifacts, undiscovered civilizations or ancient symbols that will tell tales mankind has never heard or seen before.
The philosophies of archaeology can be a source for some major confusion in the field of study. We use philosophy to explain to not only others but to ourselves about why we do what we do. In archaeological research, epistemology and ontological seem to be our core philosophies for understanding, but both have caused problems in the way of their usage. Without a clear understanding of these two philosophies, the reason for what we do falls apart and effect how we study archeology as a whole. We as student must understand these philosophies in order to better see how to perceive and understand our fields.
Moortgat, Anton. The Art of Ancient Mesopotamia. 1st. New York: Phaidon Publishers Inc., 1969. Print.
Many archeology students are put off by this subfield due to the diving portion of the field but due to interest many follow through. This usually leads to divers being obsessed with their equipment and latter the article explains that the technology that is used is often from the military. As far as origins, maritime archeology had originally three distinct social cultural perspectives in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The first being traditional trained archeologist with military experience. The second social perspective museum-led ship archaeologist concerned with technological origins and development of watercraft, which also have military service. Finally those who had no formal background who brought with them the technical experience and also have military service. Flatman states these are clearly defined as baby boomers who desiered more gadgets. An example given is Robert Ballard who made his name with the discovery of the Titanic in 1963. Later on through the article it argues the maritime archeologist need to be proactive in asking the right questions when it comes to discovering underwater wreckage due to the potential of having to conflict with an ethical dilemma. Flatman argues that maritime archeologist need engaged themselves with national debates while also Undertaking social protest within in any expansion project. There is also an ethical issue when it comes to military involvement with a project although the roots for underwater archeology derived from military. As the conclusion for this article focuses on wheatear archeologist have the right to conduct fieldwork in a country not their
"Welcome to Atlantis Evidence. The Search for a Lost Civilization!" Atlantis Evidence Main Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2014.
The lost city of Atlantis is one of the world’s greatest mysterious till this day. It’s an even more older mystery than the legendary Bermuda Triangle. For generations people have been wondering how Atlantis fell or if it even existed, but many people believe it actually existed. There is no actual proof but there are many different stories from different cultures all over the world talking about Atlantis. Scientists have been trying to find some kind of evidence of Atlantis’ existence but find nothing. Our technology is very limited when it comes to deep sea exploration. This world is mainly made up of water. It would be very difficult and time consuming to explore the oceans and our technology won’t be able to cover it all. Maybe someday we will be advanced enough to find some kind
A theory is best described as a proposed explanation of an observation. A theory has a couple important requirements; it is used to develop hypotheses, it must be able to be tested in the real world, it can always be corrected, and it can generate new lines of investigation. Both outside and within archaeology theory is increasingly popular and seen as increasingly important (Johnson, 2015). This paper will look at Archaeological theory in terms of Processual Archaeology or ‘New Archaeology’ and trace its history and development.