year 11 Ancient history course notes
Archaeology
The Nature of Archaeology
History: Focuses on written sources, written sources restricted to the last 5500 years, written sources are limited to literate societies, written sources from ancient societies were mostly written by men, reflecting a male bias.
Archaeology: Focuses on physical sources, physical sources extend as far back as the beginning of human history into prehistory, physical artefacts provide information about all human activity, and archaeologists usually study the lives of all members of society.
Find a site Excavate Record what is found Examine and investigate finds
Publish Findings Analysis and Interpretation of finds
Finding a site:
Human activities have led to many chance finds. Some activities include: ploughing, land reclamation, digging and building foundations, quarrying and dredging, construction of roads, railways, sewers etc and modern warfare.
Crop Marks, Shadow marks, and satellite photography..
Excavation:
People who may be involved in a dig: Anthropologist- Someone who studies the origins of the human species and their change over time.
Epigrapher-Studies inscriptions, deciphers tablets.
Palaeontologist-Studies fossils of living organisms.
Architect-Designs and oversees the making of buildings.
Forensic Pathologist-a branch of pathology that deals with determining the cause of death.
Papyrologist-Studies the translation of texts written on papyrus.
Botanist-Studies all aspects of plant life
Geochemist-Study of the earth’s chemical compositions.
Radiologist-A doctor who specialises in the use of x-rays.
Ceramicist-A craftsman who shapes pottery and makes it in a kiln
Numismatist-Someone who studies, grades and collects coins.
Zoologist-Studies all features of the animal kingdom
Anatomist-Studies features and organs of human and animal bodies.
Climatologist-Studies climate
Volcanologist-Studies all features of activities and volcanoes.
Types of
The Nature of Archaeology
History: Focuses on written sources, written sources restricted to the last 5500 years, written sources are limited to literate societies, written sources from ancient societies were mostly written by men, reflecting a male bias.
Archaeology: Focuses on physical sources, physical sources extend as far back as the beginning of human history into prehistory, physical artefacts provide information about all human activity, and archaeologists usually study the lives of all members of society.
Find a site Excavate Record what is found Examine and investigate finds
Publish Findings Analysis and Interpretation of finds
Finding a site:
Human activities have led to many chance finds. Some activities include: ploughing, land reclamation, digging and building foundations, quarrying and dredging, construction of roads, railways, sewers etc and modern warfare.
Crop Marks, Shadow marks, and satellite photography..
Excavation:
People who may be involved in a dig: Anthropologist- Someone who studies the origins of the human species and their change over time.
Epigrapher-Studies inscriptions, deciphers tablets.
Palaeontologist-Studies fossils of living organisms.
Architect-Designs and oversees the making of buildings.
Forensic Pathologist-a branch of pathology that deals with determining the cause of death.
Papyrologist-Studies the translation of texts written on papyrus.
Botanist-Studies all aspects of plant life
Geochemist-Study of the earth’s chemical compositions.
Radiologist-A doctor who specialises in the use of x-rays.
Ceramicist-A craftsman who shapes pottery and makes it in a kiln
Numismatist-Someone who studies, grades and collects coins.
Zoologist-Studies all features of the animal kingdom
Anatomist-Studies features and organs of human and animal bodies.
Climatologist-Studies climate
Volcanologist-Studies all features of activities and volcanoes.
Types of