Archaeology is the study of past human culture, behaviour, and cognition through material remains left from the past. Here, in this presentation basic introduction to archaeology is provided. Starts with the origin of the term archaeology and its definition. Then followed by data used in archaeological studies and archaeological process. Then the study area or the purpose is described. Finally the subdivisions or the branches of the discipline are discussed, then followed by a summary.

1. What is Archaeology?
A brief, simple but complete introduction to archaeology

2. Definition of the term ‘archaeology’
Archaeology is the study of past human culture, past human
behaviour, and past human cognition through material remains left
form the past.
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3. Origin of the term ‘archaeology’
The term ‘archaeology’ is derived from Latin. ‘Archaeo’ means
ancient, and ‘logy’ means theory/science. Hence, archaeology
means the ‘science of ancient’ or ‘the study of past’.
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4. Pronunciation of the term ‘archaeology’
Archaeology is pronounced as ‘aa-kee-o-luh-jee’ in the British
accent. In the American accent it is pronounced as ‘aa-kee-aa-luh-
jee’.
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5. What type of data is used in archaeology?
• The data used in archaeological studies are called material remains
(that are left from the past).
• Material means physical (tangible; touchable)
• These material remains can be found in many forms.
Examples: • Post holes
• Burnt marks
• Garbage pit marks
• Paintings
• Charcoal
• Pottery
• Engravings
• tools
• Coins
• Inscriptions
• Building remains
• Bones
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6. • The material remains are classified into four categories.
1. Artefacts: anything moveable that has been crafted by past humans.
e.g., coins, tools, weapons, etc.
2. Ecofacts: animal and plant remains that are related to past humans
but not crafted by them. E.g., leftover bones that have cut
marks from butchering but have not been crafted as bone
tools
3. Structures: anything immoveable that has been crafted by past humans.
e.g., building remains
4. Features: anything that indicates evidence of past human activities but
doesn’t belong to any of the above. e.g., burned floors due to
constant fire, garbage pits, etc.
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7. What is studied in archaeology?
• The area of study in archaeology is about past humans.
• There are three aspects studied about past humans.
• Culture: everything tangible and intangible occurred among humans
• Behaviour: how humans act and react in cultural and natural conditions
• Cognition: the intelligence behind their cultural choices and behaviours
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8. The Process of Archaeological Study
• The archaeological process consists of 6 steps
1. Exploration
2. Excavation
3. Dating and analyzing
4. Conservation
5. Interpretation
6. Publication and Exhibition
• These steps are generally followed to complete a scientific study.
• Exploration and excavation can be optional in some cases.**
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9. Types of Archaeology
• There several types or subdisciplines in archaeology, such as,
• Prehistoric archaeology
• Environmental archaeology
• Rescue archaeology
• Ethnoarchaeology
• Underwater archaeology
• These subdisciplines are developed to deeply focus on certain areas.
• Those differ from each other in the area of study.
• Each subdiscipline has common purposes as well as specific purposes.
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10. Summary
• Archaeology is the study of past human culture, past human behaviour,
and past human cognition through material remains left from the past.
• The data used in archaeology is material remains (material evidence).
• Material remains can be found in many forms.
• All of them belong to four categories: artefacts, ecofacts, structures, and
features.
• Everything about past humans is studied in archaeology.
• There are six steps in the archaeological process.
• There are several subdisciplines in archaeology that are developed to focus
on each branch deeper.
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11. Thank You!
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