Essay on The New Archaeology Movement

The development of the scientific method in the late 1500’s to the early 1600’s was a crucial stepping-stone in the science community. The scientific method is based upon observations, hypotheses and experimentation. The concept is rather simple, and can be applied to many areas of study. Once an observation is made, the observer can make a hypothesis as to why that phenomenon occurs and can then design an experiment to prove whether or not that hypotheses is valid. Although the scientific method has been extremely useful in the discovery of various things from usages of medications to studying animal behavior, there are still those who question the usage of this tool. These critics claim that since

He could see, through his excavations, that there were separate groups of humans that he came across and therefore the phrases urban and industrial revolution came about. Childe didn’t merely describe and correlate the culture sequences he attempted to account for their origin as well (Renfrew and Bahn, 2012:36). Not only could Childe notice different cultures but “in 1942, Childe used the distribution of tombs on Rousay to estimate the size and distribution of population on this Scottish island during the Neolithic period (Trigger, 2006:376),” and later on whilst he was excavating at sites such as Skara Brae the “analysis of the community and the estimation of population size became much easier (Renfrew and Bahn, 2012:190).” Throughout his life “as early as 1925, Childe had employed a functional view of culture to facilitate his culture-historical analysis (Trigger, 2006:397),” this concept of culture –historical approach is still being considered and thought about in archaeology today. “During the years of 1928 and 1957 Childe revolutionised specific words relating to the past. These terms became important, not just for archaeologists but also historians and more importantly the public. This terminology that was introduced allowed for clear stages that can be seen throughout the chronological timeline of the past (Greene, 1999:97).” These words such as, urban

Modern scientific methods and testing have made it possible for both historians and archaeologists and also

The history of archaeology plays an important role in the controversial issues surrounding the science. Archaeology has only recently become a concrete science. Although mankind has always had an interest in the past, the root of archaeology is believed to have started in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. During this time period, artifacts were mainly sought after for collecting. The upper class of the Renaissance period collected artifacts from places such as Rome and Greece to display in their homes as art. As time went on, the lure of historical art and artifacts increased. “Classical archaeology” is the direct result of this curiosity. The “classical archaeologists” were mainly wealthy men that collected artifacts for their homes and studied where they

Fiorelli’s third achievement was his method of systematic excavation. Fiorelli introduced a more systematic approach to preserve most of the site. He organised a workforce to connect different parts of the site together by following the different roads. He also imposed the system of slowly uncovering houses from top to bottom rather than randomly searching for special objects. This allowed him to collect data to help restore ancient buildings and gain a better understanding of the burial process during the eruption. This did less damage to wall structures and made it possible to identify and record evidence which could be used in reconstruction. Fiorelli also realised that objects were often discovered without proper documentation. He introduced the system of recording work in progress with date books including the date, number of workers employed, time the job started and finished, exact place of excavation, description of the number, type and quality of the objects found. He also attempted to understand objects by focusing n its overall history rather than on individual objects, buildings, and art. He placed emphasis on the use of archaeological objects in reconstructing history rather than textual sources. Another achievement of Fiorelli was the contribution to education of archaeology through allowing the understanding of history to the public and students. In 1875, the Italian School of Archaeology replaced the School of Archaeology at

History and the preservation of cultural heritage are the foundation to influencing who and what our societies are today. A strong foundation is one derived from truth based on tangible and irrefutable knowledge and evidence. The discipline of archaeology is a science that probes the depths of the human past (Chazan 2014:8) and utilizes various concrete research methods and theories in determining past societies based on objects anchored in today. An unnerving threat however, are those rooted in the practice of pseudoarchaeology which frankly, is not a science but rather a fantastical imagery of history that romanticizes and exaggerates ideas and notions of the past. Pseudoarcheaology seeks to emphasize false truths on the bases of exaggerating

The field was quickly gaining new interest and experts. The newest undisputed authority in the field was determined to ruin any other scientific evidence. This new expert did however take a big part in clearing up much of the unknown that American paleoanthropology was known for. In the year 1949 the British Museum put to use the new way of testing the age of bones using fluorine. This help to expose a human skull fitted to an ape's jaw. This exposed certian frauds but did set science back in some aspects. Durring an excavation near mississippi many animal bones of extinct animals were discovered, along with the pelvis of a human. The scientific community was shocked. This was extrordanary because the time lines did not match up. When the bones were given the flourine test it showed that all the bones had similar antiquity. Some people soon after this began to question the validity of the test, but to this day people still use flourine to radioactily date new discoveries. This also had a significant impact on the future of paleoanthropology across the world and opened the gateway to numerous other discoveries. Although i was not aware before reading this passage of the issue of people faking finds. I dont think that it is right for someone to fit an ape's jaw onto a human's skull for the sake of fame or money. That act did nothing but set

Participation by archaeologists in the indigenous construction of heritage remains a difficult and controversial issue (McGuire 1992:37, Nicholas and Andrews 1997a:12, 1997b:277; Trigger 2006:177-189). Following the critical theory of Habermas (1971:14-22, 1973:32-40) and its use in archaeology (Leone et al. 1987:283-292; Lyons 2005:1; Wylie 1985:138), archaeological practice is clearly a socio-political action in and for the present (Tilley 1989:105). Collaborative research with stakeholders may influence interpretation and results for social and political gain (McGhee 2008:580-581). This influence may

The different methods used by archaeologists over time to investigate the sites of Pompeii and

When professor assigned us to read chapter 2 what is left? As soon I open this chapter, the title of the chapter grab my attention. The deliberation that came to my mind was this chapter is going to be related to past ancestors. Before reading main thought was rolling around my mind was how the archaeologists figure out the past history. The chapter talks about the archaeologists quickly survey the possibility of the enduring substantiation and look at the great variety of ways in which it has been preserved for us. On the main apprehension of the archeology is to study the artifacts, moveable objects which are made by humans, which provide evidence to help get answer questions about the past. Non-movable artifacts such as postholes, floors, ditches, etc. are known as feature.

Despite Indiana Jones making archaeology out to be nothing more than leather, bullwhips and paranormal activity, it – archaeology – is actually a noble career, fit for the best of the best. In addition to excavating ancient artifacts,

Over 99% of human history occurred during prehistoric cultures, who had no system of writing or method or chronicling events. This left very little written record or accounts of what transpired that might be studied today. This lack of evidence made it very difficult to learn about previous civilizations and cultures and how they came to be, thrive, and eventually fall. With no written record, we had to rely on archaeology to investigate the whole of human history. While many of our species’ milestones occurred in prehistoric times, it became more and more important for the field of archaeology to advance and be taken seriously. All of this is interesting, but let’s take a look into a specific place and time to expand upon what

This mindset undoubtedly creates a bias in the results: if an archaeologist sets out to find something, it is more likely he or she will find it, even if it requires tweaking some of the results. This is when the connection of archaeology and politics becomes dangerous. Consider the Nazis, who undertook archaeological projects that were intended to give substance to their malicious political agenda (which was to prove the superiority of the ‘Aryan race’). This use of archaeology as evidence for a political aims is entirely different from the situation mentioned before. In the previous case, archaeological results are referenced after the fact, meaning that the archaeologist lacked an overt political bias during the process of interpreting the information. Conversely, in the case of Nazi archaeology, the archaeologists entered the project with such a political bias, which ultimately impacts their interpretation of the results. So, the connection between archaeology and politics becomes dangerous when archaeology is carried out specifically to be used as evidence for (often malicious) political and national agendas, since this results in heavily biased, incorrect

Humans of the Upper Paleolithic era brought about numerous cultural innovations. In this time period we see the first art in the form of paintings in caves (Cyraboski). With the spark of creativity, the roaring fire of the first artistic cultural revolution was born. A wealth of new materials started making their way into the archeological record. For example, clay, used for pots and figurines, and bones, which were carved into beads and necklaces for personal adornment. The greatest culmination of this newly born culture is shown in the burial rites of their dead. This is a brand new cultural trait born in this era.

Nowadays we use a lot of technology in our daily lives, but have you ever wonder how Archeologist discover ancient civilizations? Yes, there has been many of great technology invented but this however is one of the best. Why? because of satellites that can detect below surfaces, and lost civilizations that are now being able to be located.