Archaeology Definition, Meaning: We explain what archaeology is, what its object of study is and the branches into which it is divided. In addition, its relationship with paleontology.
What is archaeology?
Archaeology is the study of human material remains preserved over time and dispersed in geography. Through the analysis of these remains it is possible to reconstruct and understand the changes that human societies have experienced throughout their history.
It is both a social science and a branch of the humanities. In some countries it is considered a subdivision of anthropology. Its name comes from the Greek words archaios, “old,” and logos, “knowledge,” which describes its field of interest quite well, combining treasure hunting with scientific analysis and cultural interpretation. You must read about Origin of Life once!
It is based on a necessarily transdisciplinary approach: history, anthropology, geography, geology, linguistics, physics, chemistry, paleontology and statistics are just some of the areas it turns to in search of knowledge and tools.
Archaeology was born from the antiquarian trade in 19th century Europe, which was a hobby of things from the past or antiques, for collection or resale. Its heyday was during the period of European colonialism, when museums on that continent were filled with pieces from the rest of the world, such as Egyptian mummies, Mesopotamian objects, Mesoamerican calendars, etc.
Today, archaeology is not only dedicated to the study of ancient civilizations, nor does it respond to the premise of finding mythical lost cities, but it is even applied to more recent times, such as the Middle Ages, with the aim of understanding the social processes that determined the history of civilization. Maybe you should definitely read about Atheism once!
What does archaeology study?
Archaeology studies the set of material remains of cultures, civilizations and human societies that have already disappeared, which makes up the entire archaeological record.
Its findings are interpreted as evidence of a reality to be reconstructed or at least understood. It uses technological tools and knowledge from other disciplines, in order to develop a reliable approximation to the determining events of societies long before the contemporary one.
The societies it studies could have existed from prehistory and the first human settlements, to the classical era of Antiquity or even the European Middle Ages. The interests of archaeology are adapted to the region of the world where its professionals work.
Branches of archaeology
Archaeology has a huge number of subdivisions, generally dedicated to the study of a specific and concrete aspect of past human reality. Some examples of this are:
Battlefield archaeology:
As its name indicates, it focuses its efforts on understanding the war or military events that occurred in a certain place and in remote times. Especially those famous battles that put an end or beginning to dynasties, empires, invasions, etc.
Historical archaeology:
Although its name may sound redundant, it is not: this branch of archaeology is dedicated to the study of documented history, that is, written history, dealing with documents, chronicles, evidence and inscriptions.
Cognitive archaeology:
Its efforts focus on understanding the way of thinking of past societies or communities, based on the study of the cultural and symbolic content that can be recovered from their archaeological remains.
Gender archaeology:
This branch focuses its studies on understanding the roles formerly associated with each of the human sexes, in order to better understand the evolution of these roles over the course of history, and to understand why today we understand that a woman or a man should be socially and culturally in a specific way and not another.
Archaeometry:
This is the archaeological study combined with different physical-chemical techniques, in order to obtain more and better knowledge regarding the composition, characterization and manipulation of certain materials by ancient societies. To do this, they use X-rays and other contemporary techniques for studying materials.
Archaeology and paleontology
Paleontology and archaeology are two very different sciences, although at first glance they may not seem so. Both study the past of our planet from the physical evidence that can be obtained in the earth’s crust.
However, while archaeology focuses on humans and past societies, paleontology goes back to a much earlier past, where humans did not exist. It studies the geological evidence of life and its origins, of the complex facets of its evolution. Thus it traces a history of ancient life, either before or during the appearance of humans.
Bachelor’s degree in archaeology
Archaeology is a higher university-type study, generally associated with faculties of Social Sciences or Humanities. Normally it comprises a five-year study to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
Subsequently, this science offers its professionals numerous branches of specialization and postgraduate studies. On the other hand, it also allows them to access other disciplines to diversify their knowledge.
Archaeologists can work in museums, universities, and research and study centers. They can also be part of practical work teams to carry out excavations and field research in search of archaeological remains in different parts of the world.
Archaeological training is very important in countries that actively explore their ancestral past or that have inherited great ruins or monuments from it. In addition, it allows this heritage to be used to obtain significant tourist and scientific income.
