How do Historians and Archaeologists Find out about the Past and Introduction

11 important questions on How do Historians and Archaeologists Find out about the Past and Introduction

What is the name of the professional that studies material remains?

Archaeologist (hidden artefact eroding)

Historians mainly rely on written and visual sources for information. When examining time periods prior to writing what must be examined and what discipline.

Artefacts and buildings. Archaeology.

How do archaeologists find sites below the ground? (8)

  1. Chance
  2. Stories (from legends or old documents)
  3. Maps (old ones)
  4. Geophysical survey (using scientific instruments to find evidence under the ground)
  5. Aerial photography.
  6. Satellites- using radar which penetrates the ground
  7. Rescue or salvage archaeology (in cities or new road projects)
  8. Underwater surveys.
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Name three ways that archaeologists date excavations

  1. Stratigraphy
  2. Dendrochronology
  3. Radiocarbon Dating
  4. Coins

What is the technical name for Tree-ring dating? And how does this work? Which university has records of tree ring growth dating back to

Dendrochronology.

Each year, trees grow a ring of new wood. They vary in thickness depending on conditions. It is possible to work out when a tree was growing and when it was cut down by studying the rings.

Queen's University in Belfast have a record of tree ring growth back to 5300BC.

What is Radiocarbon dating?

Plants and animals take in carbon-14 when they are alive. When they die carbon 14 begins to decay. The age of the plant or animal can be calculated by the amount of radio carbon left.

How do you date objects found with coins?

Coins have dates on them or the head of a ruler stamped on them. Objects found with them will be from the same time.

How do post holes show the size of a building?

Post holes- darkened soil patched where post have rotted away- show the shape and size of buildings.

What is the job of an Archaeologist? (7)

  1. Ask historical questions
  2. Find sites
  3. Excavate sites
  4. collect evidence (artefacts)
  5. Analyse evidence
  6. Make historical judgements
  7. Communicate Ideas.

Who is  Ötzi the iceman? Where was he discovered? When did he live? How was his body and weapons examined?

Found at a height above 3000 metres between the border of Austria and Italy in a melting glacier. He lived 5300 years ago. He was discovered in 1991. His body was investigated by x-rays, CT scans, high definition cameras and laboratory analyses.

What are some of the skills that you learn from studying history? (6 points)

  • Ability to research
  • question
  • analyse data and written sources
  • to debate.
  • to present
  • Make informed judgements.

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