=a Troop 1292 #(32A Ee MERIL BADGE SERLESHow TO USE THIS PAMPHLET BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA ‘The secret to sucessfully earning a merit badge for you fo use both MERIT BADGE S the pamphiet andthe suggestion of your counselor. Chere ‘Your counselor canbe as important to you as a coach is 0 an athlete, Use al of the resoures your counselor can make avallable to you. “This may be the best chance you will hve o lear about this particular subject. Make i cunt. if you or your counselor feels that any information in this pamphlet is ARCHAE! incorrect, please let us know. Please state your source of information. Sy H 4 Merit badge pamphlets are reprinted annually and requirements “updated replary. Your suggestions fr improvement are welcome. Send comments along wit a brief statement about yourself to Youth outs of America» 1325 West Walnut Hil WHO PAYS FOR THIS PAMPHLET? “This merit badge pamphlet sone ina series of more than 100 caver all kinds of hobby and career subjects. It is made available for you to buy as a service of the national and local councils, Boy Scouts of. ‘Americ. The costs ofthe development, writing, and eiting of the merit badge pamphlets ate paid for by the Boy Scouts of America i “order to ring you the best book at a reasonable price. | BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICAISaN 078.0205 50008 (203 oy Seale rn SBroPiang Requirements ‘Tell what archaeology is and explain how it difers trom anthropology, geology, paleontology, and history Describe each ofthe following steps of the archaeological process site location, site excavation, artifact Mentfcaion land examination, interpretation, reservation, and information sharing. ; Desc ates ways in which archaecogsdternine the age of sites, structures, o artifacts. Explain what relative dating is. Do TWO of the following: . Leam about three archaeological sites located outside the United States, Learn about thtee archaeological sites loated within the United States, 6. Visit an archaeological site and learn about it For EACH site you research for options a,b, ore, point tout on a map and explain how it was discovered Describe some ofthe information about the past that has been found at each ste. Explain how the information tained from the study ofthese sites answers questions that archaeologists are asking and how the information may be important to modern people. Compare te relative ages of the sites you research, {Choose ONE of the sites you picked for requirement & and sive @ short presentation about your findings to a Cub Scout ‘pack, your Scout troop your school class, or another group. en aotoorios ‘ 6 Do the flowing: a, Explan why iis important to protect archaeological sites be. Explain what people should do if they think they have found an artifact sede the ways in which you can be a protector of the past. Do ONE ofthe following: 4 Make list of items you would include in atime capsule. Discuss with your merit badge counselor what archae~ ‘logs a thousand years from now might lear from the ‘contents of your capsule about you and the culture in which you tive Make alist ofthe trash your family throws out during ‘one week. Discuss with your counselor what archaeoo ists finding that trash a Thousand years from now ‘high: lac from it about you and your family. Do ONE ofthe following: 4. Under the supervision of a qualified archaeologist, spend atleast eight hours helping to excavate an atchzeologcal ste be. Under the supervision ofa qualified archaeologist. spend at lest eight hours in an archaeological laboratory help ing to prepare artifacts for analysis, storage, or display. If yom are unable to workin the field or in a laboratory ‘under the supervision of a qualified archaeologist, you may substitute a mock dig. To find out how to make a rock di, talk with a professional archaeologist, trained vocational archaeologist, museum school instructor, juice high a high school science teacher, advise from 2 local archaeology society, or other qualified insructr. Plan what you will bury in your artificial ste to show tse of your “ste” during two time periods.9. Under the supervision of a qualified archaeologist or Instructor, do ONE of the fellowing: a, Help prepare an archaeological exhibit for display in a ‘museum, visitor centr, school, or other public area b. Use the methods of experimental archaeology to recreate an item of to practice a ski rom the past. Write a brief eport explaining the experiment and its results. 10, Do ONE of te following: {Research American Indians who ive or once lived in your are, Find ut about traditional ifeways, dling, clothing tyes, aris and crafts, and methods of food fathering, preparation, and storage. Desribe what You would expect o find at an archaeological site for these people. b. Research settles or soldiers who were in your area at i Teast 100 years 2go. Find out about the houses or fons, ‘ways of if, clothing styles, ats and crafts, and dietary habits ofthe eary seers, farmers, ranchers, soldiers, ‘oF townspeople who once lived in the area where your ‘community now stands. Describe what you would expect to find at an archaeological site for these people. 1, Identity three caer opportunities in archaeology. Pick one and explain how to prepare for such a career. Discuss with your counselor what education and taining are required and tll why this profession might interest you.Introduction Imagine a bey living where you lve now, but hundreds or even thousands of yeas ago. He might have been about your age Like you, he ha tiends and enjoyed paying games. He had a home and a family. He shared the belles of people In his com ‘munity. He spoke a language that sounded just right to him, and his way of understanding the workd made sense, But whete you live now was a much different place when ‘the boy of the past lived there. might have been a dense forest ‘or an open pain. His house might have been made of animal hide stretched over poles, or bricks of mul and straw baked in the sun, or dlabs of sweet-smelling cedar split from huge trees and decorated with carvings of eagles, ravens, and salmon. The boy might have been taught how io hunt with spears or bow and ‘arrows, of hw (0 plant grains and store the havvest for winter. He might have learned to hl sleknesses by ‘using medicines from plants. He znay have sung the songs that kept lve the series of his people fom fone generation to the next The boy had no wristwatch, but he kept track of time by looking atthe sun andl observing shadows on the ground Tihs religion, he may have worshipped the spirits ofthe fish ‘or buffalo that fed his people He might have believed that gos lived on mountaintops, inside volcanoes, o in the spirits of cerain animals ‘Sometimes the sun shone warmly an the boys face, and sometimes he took shelter fom storms. His life was a5 real then as yours is today-—full of bright color, smels, tastes, and sounds. Like you, he probably thought the world in which he lived would never change much. ‘But that world has changed, and most of the people who lived tong before us have been forgaten. Their homes have ‘rumbled and disappeared. The bows from which they ate an the tools they used have become scatered. Their languages and beliefs ave largely lst. Tei stories may now be but a whisper In the wind. Even 89, you ean learn about that boy fom long ago and ‘he life he led. You can discover some of the ways that his life ‘was lke yours, and how it was diferent. To make these discov- cies, you need a key to begin unlocking the secrets ofthe past ‘That key is archaeology.Who Are Archaeologists? Archaeologists are detectives who sty how people lived in the past, They Figure out what happened, when, how, and why. Using the clues that people let behird,they try t understand how and why human cure has changed through ‘Archaeologists do this work, in par, ease they want to satisly thee curiosity. Like all of vs, archaeologists love to find ‘out about other people other places, and other times. We all ‘benefit from their studies because archaeologists like to share their discoveries with the public. They provide answers to Our ‘questions about the pas. Knowing about those wh lived before ws is important ‘because the people of the past helped to make us who we are today. The beginnings of our knowledge can be found inthe ‘things people knew and did thousands of years ago. Our lan guages and our ways of doing things—that is, our eultures— have been passed down through the ages. We are only the most recent gererations to inhabit Earth, Human culture has been enriched by all of the ‘generations of people who lived, worked, and enjoyed life before us. As we learn about these ancestors of ‘ours, we also learn about ourselves and how we got to be the way we are. By studying the past, we can learn ‘much about the present. ‘A cutureis the way offi shared bya group of poople and passed down rom one generation twthenext. The peopl af given cure have the same language and similar customs, belts, habits, food proterences, and 30 on srcnscotccy 90 What Archaeologists Study ‘The word archaeolagy comes from the Greck word arthaios, meaning “ancient.” and the Latin logia, meaning, "to tall ‘of write about™—ihat is, 0 sty. Archaeologists study the material remains of past cultures—the things people lett behind—to learn how people lived and how cultures have ‘hanged through time ‘Archaeology ita branch ofa lager seience called anthro- pology-—the study of human beings. While anthropologists are feoncerned with all aspects of human makeup and behavior, Archaeologists focus onthe stories ofthe people of the past— People who are no longer around to speak for themselves ‘Much of archaeology is the study of people who did not leave a writen history of their experience, or who lef ecards in languages that we no longer understand, ven so, these people have left cies about themselves. Evidence oftheir teistence may tak the form of artifacts such as stone or metal tools, or pices of broken pottery. Or we might find signs of human activity, such as rocks arranged in circles, or ear blackened by campfires from long ago, oF tenches that show ‘where walls once stood eu fe Bits and places ofthe human past have survived into the modem ‘ge. These prehistore Caddoun artlacts provide information ‘Rout vanished peoples and cultures “The Grost Sphinx at Giza in Env, with a pyramid in the background “The Grat Hall at Grand Portage National Monument in Minnesots ‘The orginal structre wae butt n 1784 and was Ito reconstructed {sing information leamed Shough archeeology ‘Many archaeologists specialize in studying groups of people ‘who lived thousands of yeas ago. Some study the civilizations that bull the great pyramidsin Egypt and the temples in Greece, South America, and Asia. Scme archaeologist ae interested in “ancient hunters whose sper points pierced the sides of mam: ‘moths in the American Southwest. Others devote their careers {o studying the remains of ely humans found in Africa, ‘Archaeologist also unravel puzzles about people wino lived much closer to our own time. We get elues from items found in sunken ships, frgttenfarmsteads, bured villages, and traditional American tnilan gathering places.Archasolosiss study bath historic and webiste cuts, Whats the dtference between history and wrohistary? Prohstory deals: withthe time ‘The discovery ofatfcts and sotlomants abandoned relatively bof peonlo —_Fecenty=in Nstore times helps tll us what happened tothe Teared to wie, Ps ople who made or but der, beganine we" Who Were the First Americans? humankind Recent excavations in South Carolina may provide evidence ‘appeared on this that people lived in the Americas earlier han scientists once Tanetandending elev: Archaeologists long thought the first hman beings Planet andending in the americas were the Clovis people who crossed a land wie people bridge over the Bering Swat into Alaska, Scientists beleve these hunters of mammaths lived at the end ofthe last Ice Age about 12,000 or 13,000 years ago. At South Carolina's Topper writen records of site, however, archaeologists have found stone tools, including smal, simple hiss that are older than the tools made and used by the Clovis people. The finds and their early dates sug- gest humans may have ative in North America earlier than previously beleved and may have come from many directions. ‘Named forthe amateur archaeologist who discovered it ‘Topper is the site of a prehistoric quarry that was a source of cher, a fintike rock used to make tools and atrowheads. ‘Work there ie directed by Al Coody, an archaoologiat with the University of South Carolina, Excavation began In the early 1980s and stil continues. Much ofthe work is dane by volun teers, including teenagers, who come tothe site each sping. Goodyear says itis possibile evidence will be found showing that people were in the area of the Topper site long before the Tas ee Age. "We may bein for some surprises," he says. started to make thoiactivtes 12 arcuaeowoor Artifacts and Relationships Arehaeologcal artifacts are any items that have been made, used, or changed by people Examples include stone tools, amtowheads, pottery, utenal, coins, bots, and jewelry "anaes typically are portable and easy w cary soul ‘he items were perhaps lo by ther original ewners. Some might have been broken ant thrown away. Many were hidden for safekeeping or place alongside the bodes oftheir owners in burial sites, To archaeologists, artifacts—and the relationships between artifacts and where the ites are fours'—are windows into the lives ofthe people who once lived at that place. svennsowocy 13‘This idea ofelationships between objets is important. “Think ofall the ltle pars that go together to make a wristwatch, Ifyou take the individual pars out ofa watch and study each tne separately will that ell you how the watch functions? No, You must lok at all ofthe pars in place inside the watch to see how they work together. The same is true of archaeological sites. Like a watch, an archaeological ste is a complicated package that must be opened carefully and studied asa whole it we ae to make sense of it ‘A researchet who looks at only afew stone tos and a few kernels of earn might find that, by themselves, the artifacts reveal litle, However ifthe tools are found In a room vith a hearth or fie pit, 2 grinding stone, and other stone tools and antfats, the researcher might conclude that the room was a prehistoric living area. A few kernels of corn found in a space that didnot have a hearth or any other artifacts would suggest that the rom wes probably a storeroom, Fossils ae the stonelike remains of living things that developed as ‘minerals from the sil slowly replaced tho chomieals in tho dead animals or plants. ‘The study of artifacts and the sites where they are found can reveal much bout the everyday activitas ofthe past. We can learn where people lived, how they got thelr food, and what they wore. Archseological findings ‘may also explain some of the important events in the lives of people long, ‘dead—a war or @ ceremony, for instance, or a major fire or flood. Such discoveries can help us to Understand what shaped entira civilizations. 5Related Sciences Several lated sciences help to shine a ight into the pas. (Geologists study Bath ise and ow it changes over time. They examine the clues revealed by rocks, sol, and the shape ofthe land. Geologists are interested inthe forces that frm the physical features ofthe land and alter te land’ appearance. Paleontolgisis examine fossils of dinosaurs and ancient vegetation. They dig for fossils to lear about animal and plant life of fong ago, and they share their findings by writing reports and creating museum exhibits. ‘Sciantsts caution you not to be misled by the movies or tolevision shows you may have seen that show prehistoric humans hurling spears at dinosaurs. They believe that this could never have happened because there were no people on Earth when dinosaurs lived. 16 sncnaraiooy To help you keep these “ologies" straight, here's a simple + Anthropology the study of humans in the widest sense + Archacology—the study of human activities and cultures of the past *# Geology—the study of rocks, soil, and terrain ‘+ Paleontology—the study of fossils of ancient animals. and plants “The sudy of history also soften useful in archaeology. (One way to think of history is that iti the past revealed ‘through witten records. Journals, newspapers, shapping ists legal papers, books, and letters are only afew ofthe sources ‘of information historians draw upon Wo re-create moments of the past. Archaeologists may use writen records to locate sites, to find out how artlaets wore made and used, andl to expand their understanding of earlier mes. Even when they are inves tigating preistrie sites, they may research the historic record for elues tothe more distant past Paleontologists study dinosaurs, auch as this Deinonychus, land other ie forms fom the distant past. This shelton can ‘beeen atthe Feld Museum in Chicago. Archaeologists may draw upon the knowledge and methods of caer species and sioneas, too, Among these are architecture, astronomy, an, biology boty, chemistry, geography, and physi.Geoclogists study Earth itselt. 18 Historians study the relatively recent past fe tls revenled through ‘writen record. The Steamboat Bertrand: Lost and Found In 1865, a big steamboat called the Bertrand was ‘making its way up the Missourl River, cerying a full ‘argo of supplies destined for miners and settlers upriver in Montana. Just north of Omaha, Nebrasks, ata turnin the river caled DeSoto Bend, the Bertrand hita submerged log and sank into the waters of the ‘Missourl Inthe decades that followed, peopl forgot ‘about the steamboat, or they remembered it only in stories passed down through the generations. In 1968, treasure hunters called salvors studi clues from old documents and discovered where the Bertand|ay, well-proteced. It took archaeologists {rom the National Park Service months to uncover the remains ofthe steambat. Inside tho hull, they found Clothing, tools, and thousands of other items. At the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge at Missouri Valley, lowa, you can see artifacts racoverad from the Bertrand. ‘There, archaeologists use laboratories to preserve and ‘study the contents ofthe steamboat. This process will ‘continue for many years. While the Bortrandnever reached its destination, ithas served as a time capsule. This steamboat brought cargo to people a contury later and delivered not just ‘le-fashioned tools and clothing, but also a wealth of knowledge about the past. Through archaeology, we can understand ‘much about how people of the time worked, what they wore, ‘what they ate, and whet ‘goods they used. ‘Aettcts recovered fom the Borerand are dplayed the DeSoto National Wife Fefuge st Missoun Valley Iowa. srewsowocy 19Archaeology and Responsibility Perhaps you have been ata ceremony where a time capsule from a hundred years ago was opened. There might have been coin inside, and newspapers, photographs, and other items An archaeological that people a century ago thought were important. You probably thought the contents of the capsule oked odd and antiquated, yet seeing the items helped you learn about the people who capsule. Bath hd so carefully placed them in the capsule. site ithe atime contain messages ‘rom the past, Alter the ceremony, what happened to those objects? IF one person took them home and kept them in a box, no ane else ‘would be able to view them. Of if everybody atthe ceremony took away one item, it soon would be hard to remember every thing that had once been togeter inthe capsule. Some ofthe items would probably be lost or given away or sold. As the time ‘apsule’s contents were scattered, is meaning would be lst. Bat ifthe artifacts found inthe capsule were properly studied, labeled, and displayed in a public pace, everyone ould enjoy them. People interested inthe past could use the items to learn what a pace oa eultre sas ike long ago. Future generations could have the same pleasure in seeing, the items as you did when the time capsule was fist opened. The message rom the people ofthe past would be kept alive, passed down from generation to generation. smcineoiooy 21Archaeological sites, tke ime capsules, must be opened the right way so that the information ‘hey contain will not be lost. Thatis a responsibilty {or archaeolonist, wha have studies excavation proceduras and preservation techniques. 22 amonaroroar {An archaeological site, such asa shipwreck or the remains of a prehistoric village, i like atime capsule. Each may contain items that, when studied together, wil reveal much information bout who was there and what thei ives were ike. ‘Being an archaeologist requires taining to learn the correct. methods to find, excavate, document, and interpre sites and the artifacts they contain, We rely on archaeologists to use the right procedures so that they ean gain a8 much information as possible when they excavate a site or lead others in uncovering tacts, We rely on them to interpret messages from the past ‘We also rely on them to share with all of us the information tat they discover, Pothunting and Vandalism ‘An archaeologst’s careful work can be ruined by a loter or ‘vandal who steals artifacts or damages a site. These thieves called pothunters, only want to find items from the past and {ake them, Pothunters don’t care about the knossedge that might be gained from studying how the artifacts are related to ‘ter materials atthe site. Pothunters may keep artifacts for themselves or sell them for money. In either cas, the artifacts disappear from public view, andthe information that they ‘might have provided is lost forever. Looters, or pothunters, do serous and permanent damage ‘hen they distur archaoological sites and steal artifacts. ‘This histerte cemetery at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was vandalized by pothunters. Protecting the Past “There are many ways you can help to preserve archaeological sites and arifaets andthe knossedge that comes from them, + Do not dg for artifacts ness you are working under the ection of a trained archaeologist who has an approved excavation permit, + I you see others digging for artifacts, report what yor have witnessed to a local law ‘enforcement agency or the agency that ‘manages the land, or tell the site manager 8 park ranger, of other responsible oficial ‘= you thnk you have discovered artifacts, leave them alone. {you are in a national or state park or forest, report the find to a ranger Otherwise, contact your state historic preserva, ton offer. (See the resources section inthis pamphlet.) Experts can evaluate the artifacts where they were found, thon determine wether further study should be done Pothuring is stealing Such looting robs presont and future * Voluntee to help historical and archaeological societies monitor sites against vandalism and repair any damage that has been done. ‘generations of nowedge that bo replaced Pethunting is against the law on state, federal snd Americen ‘Lea all you can about the archaeology of your area so that you ean better inform others about the importance of protecting sites and artiacs Indian lands, and inmany privately mad areas. avcnseowcoy 23Artifacts and the Internet: The Illegal Market ‘The internet has made it easy 10 buy and sell antec, This situation encourages pothunters to destroy archaeological sites all over the world in search of artifacts to sel. The problem is {growing at an alarming rate despite laws that ban the looting of sites ‘and the transport and sale of ntiquitis that have been iMegally obtained. ‘You can do your part to discourage the illogal trade Inartifacts on the Internet and ‘elsewhere, Never buy artifacts ‘that were once underground oF Lunderwater-The chances are good that the object was dug up illegally, isa fake, or was obtained by destroying a site. Protect yourself and protect the past If you or your parents buy “old-timey” ertwork, collectibles, ‘or crafts such as pottery, jewelry, or carvings, buy pieces by modern ‘American Indians or other artists, or buy reproductions (clearly labeled as such) of ancient artifacts. Steer clear of purchasing bottles, coins, belt buckles, ‘and buttons at antique shops, because many of these items may have coma trom looted sites. 24 ancuacowoor Ozette: A Legend Comes True ‘Among the Makah Indians of northwestern Washington, the story i told (of a great disaster that dastroyed the tribe's ancestral home. The legend says that, long ago, a mountain of mud fell upon their vilage at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, ‘A new chapter was cdded to that story in 1970, when raging winter storms sent high waves ‘0 scour the beach ata place called Ozote ‘The waves washed away part of a mud bank and exposed many artifacts, ‘among them a canoe paddle, fishhooks of wood and bone, the shaft of ‘8 harpoon, bits of inlaid boxes, and a woven hat. Excavation ofthe site showed that the Makah legend is trus: About '500 years ago, a mountainside of wet clay plunged down the steep, tree- ‘covered slope above the coastal village. The mudslide buried the sturdy ‘cedarwood houses without destroying them. ‘The wet clay sealed the houses so tight that everything inside ‘was preserved except flesh, feathers, and skins. Looms, wood carvings, wooden bowls, cone-shaped rain hats made of spruce roots, baskets, {and even cloth—materas that are rarely recovered from any archaeologi- cal site—wore held sate through the centuries. “The land is part ofthe Ozett Indian Reservation, home of the ‘Makah tribe, Archaeologists and members of the tribe worked together 1 investigate the site. People from the reservation helped withthe exca- vation and with running @ preservation laboratory at nearby Neah Bay. ‘Special techniques were needed to uncover and preserve the water logged wooden remains at Ozette. The excavators bult a complicated pumping system that sprayed jets of watorof different strengths—from blasts powerful enough to remove dence mud from house planks, ‘to a gentle trickle used for washing the muck from combs and wooden spindles. By agreement, all excavated objects have remained on the reserva~ tion in. museum built and operated by the Makah tribe. “We look in 2 spacial way at what has come from tha mud at Ozette* say the Makah, “for thi is our heritage! smcvusoiooy 25The Development of Archaeology Archaeology 3 its practiced tay i a flrly new science Several hundred years ago, people who dug ino ancient sites foflen did so only to find treasures that could be clleted or Sold, While many of the collectors calle themselves antiquarian, by today’s standards they were litle more than pothunters ‘Thiewes did enormous damage. In Egypt, for example, thieves broke into most ofthe pyramids and tombs and took ‘what they found, without leaving any record of what had been there. They were not interested in learning about those who had lft the artifacts oF covered the walls with symbols. Over the years, fortunately, ‘many people came to realize that the information that could be gained fom a site was often more valuable than the anilaets themselves. Found in 1799, the Rosetta Stone was the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs. The stone hnad three inenptons on it~ ‘the same text writen inthe {rips lneuding Greek and {nclen’ Egyptian hieroglyphic ‘ting. A French scholar Used the Grek text och could read, aso guide to ‘ranslate the mysterious Fioroalvphs. eras the breaks ‘through sclontiste noeded to Understand the pictorial vting system of ancient EYP American Archaeology In the United States, Congress has passed laws that recogni the importance of ou past ad the nee! to protect archaeological sites. Te fst major piece of federal legislation for preserv ‘vas an act of Congres in 1689 that authorized the presklent to protect Pueblo Indian ruins a Casa Grande, Arizona. Among, the important laws since that ne are the fllowing. ‘Antiquities Aet of 1906, This law protected cultural materials found on public lands and was intended to stop the destruction Of prehistoric sites and artifcts inthe West. I aso set up a ‘way for responsible archaedDogists to excavate important sites Historie Sites Act of 1935, Ths act authorize several programs tobe eave out ander the National Park Service. Under this law, sites that have exceptional valu for commemo rating or illustrating US. history can be protected as national historic landmarks. National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. ithe ime ofthis law's paseage, more archaeological sts and histori buildings were being destroyed by rapid economic development than by pothunting or vandalism. This landmark piece of legislation extend the protection ofthe federal government 10 Instore resources atthe sive and local levels. The act provides for federal grants to state ad trttrialhistoric-preservaton agencies, and its passage led tothe establishment ofthe National Register of Historic Places. The National Register includes not only national historic landmarks, but aso sites, objets, bulking, ‘nd districts (collections of structures) that ae significant in ‘American history, architecture, archaeology, and culture.WARNING Pee aa. pote coro The Archaeological Rescurces Protection ‘Act imposes penalties on those who ‘damage archaeological sites, COMM totsec} Archaeological Resources Protection ‘Act of 1979. This law gives more povection to archacological resources ‘on publi and American Indian lands and encourages the sharing of informa tion gathered from these sites. It also teuighens penalties fr the unauthorized ‘excavation of or damage to archaeo- ata) logical sites and controls the sae of arifacs. Since 1979, all construction on. feral lands or that uses federal funds requires an archaeological survey t0 find out if archaeological sites will be ddamaged by the construction, and how the information from the sites can be recorded before that happens. Al tates Ihave similar laws that protect archaco- logical resources on state lands. ‘Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990, Archaeologists exploring the past sometimes come upon the bones And other remains of human beings Native Americans have raised concerns tha: the burial grounds of ther tribes should not be disturbed, any more than the cemeteries of other groups. Many American Indians believe thatthe remains oftheir ancestors should not be stored or displayed in museums, but should be reburied according to the traditions and religious beliis oftheir tees. The Act protects American Indian gravesites on lands ‘managed by the federal government. The lw requites thou: sara of federally funded museums and agencies to inventory ther holdings of human remains, grave goods, sacred objects, ane other items important to American Indian cultures. The museums and agencies must tll the tribes about the sacred an¢ cultural items in their collections and return the objects to the trbes that cai them, Kennewick Man—A Survivor (On the Columbia River in southeastern Washington, two young bost- racing spectators stumbled across one of the oldest skeletons ever ‘discovered in North America. The skeleton was named Kennowick Man {or the town where the bones were found in July 1996. Scientists using radiocarbon dating estimate the skeleton is about 9,300 years old. Kennewick Man was a suvivor. His bones show he had sutferod a bbroken elbow, a crushed chest, and a skull fracture as though he were clubbed in the head. He lived through all these injuries. He also carried ‘2 spear point permanently stuck in his right hip.The stabbing wound, ike his other injuries, had heeled. But the Stone Age weapon lodged in his hip probably made walking dificult for Kennewick Man, who was ‘about 45 or 60 years old when he died. ‘Soon after his skeleton was found, several American Indian tribes in the Pacific Northwest claimed it under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.The tribes consider Kennowick Man an honored ancestor and wish tc rebury his bones secretly so the skeleton ‘could never again be unearthed. Tribal beliefs teach thatthe remains of ancestors should not be disturbed, but if bones are disturbed they should {Quickly be set at peace. Eight well-known archaeclogists and anthropologists sued for the fight to study the bones. The ancient remains could help solve the mystery of who the first Americans were, where they came from, and how and when they got here. Only afew skeletons that scientists believe fre more than 8,000 years old have ever been found in North America, and the Kennawick skeleton isin excelent condition and nearly complete. ‘The lagalbatte for this arcient American lasted for eight years, until ‘ederal court ruled in July 2004 in favor ofthe scientists. The court found the Indian tribes had not shown they were Kennewick Man's living descen- ddants Tests suggest the man is not closely related to any Native Americans, ‘buts closer tothe Ainu, the indigenous (native) people of Japan. tthe time of this writing, the skeleton remained locked in 8 museum ‘at the University of Washington as people continued to argue over how the bones should be studied, You can follow the controversy about Kennewick Man on the Internat at http-iwwwennewick-man.com. (Get your parents permissior first)Libraries area rch source of information about archaeo- ‘ogy and ancient cultures. Librarians can help you find books hot the science of archaeology and about the peoples and periods of the past that interest you The Interne aso offers many opportunites or exloing —— the word of archaeology via computer. Many archaeologial sitesand visitor centers have home pages, a8 do university Before you programs, federal agencies, and archaeological organizations. 9 nine, be For some suggested books and interne sites, se the resources section ofthis pamphlet, sure you have your parents permission Appreciating the Past ‘As you can see, archaeology has become an important science for exploring our past and preserving our heritage. Visitor centers have been built at many archaeological sites where you an view artifacts and learn about the people who made and used them. Museums, schools, and public buildings may also hhave exhibits that share with everyone the knowledge gained by studying the pas. Programs at many colleges and universities invite young ‘people to learn the methods of archaeology, then to help exca vate sites and prepare artifacts fo display. Archaeology clubs nd professional associations promote the appreciation o past and help protect cultural resources. “This polished black ceramic vessel decorated with engraved lines ‘ies with ed pigment wras recovered from a prehistoric Caddoan loge Taxa 30 ancuacovoor prcisscwocy 312 The Iceman: Visitor From the Past In September 1991, hikers in the Alps along the border of ltely and Austria found a body frozen in a glacier at {an altitude of 10,500 feet. The corpse was so well- preserved thatthe hikers thought it was a fellow ‘mountaineer who had died on the slopes recently. Medical examiners soon realized, however, that the eeman, as he has come to be known, was not a recent ‘accident victim, The mummified body had been locked inthe glacier for some 5,300 years, making it the most ancient human body ever found virtually intact. With him, he brought his clothes, tools, and weapons. Scientists examining the body and the artifacts found with it discovered thatthe man was wel: equipped for alpine travel. He carried @ backpack, a knife with @ flint blade, an unfinished bow, a leather quiver with more than dozen arrovrs, a copper ex, and several small tools of flint and bone, He stood about 5 feet 3 inches tall, He was perhaps 40 years old, with dark hair and a beard. He wore leather shoes lined with grass for warmth. The mar‘s leathor jacket was finely stitched with threads of anime sinew or plant fiber ‘What was the Iceman doing so high in the ‘mountains? Was he a herdsman tending sheep or cattle? Was he hunting deer, or searching for flint or copper? Was he on the run from enemies? How did he die? Did a sudden mountain storm, a blizard, ‘ra dense fog catch him by surprise? Did he freeze to death? Did he starve? Was he hurtin a fall, or injured ine fight? To answer these and other questions, Investigators are using the techniques of many sciences chemisty, biology, medicine, anatomy, radiology, meteorology, archaeology, history, and such combinations as paleoethnabotany (the study (of plant use in prehistoric times). Pollen found on the ceman’s clothing has been identified. ‘Three-dimensional zomputer images, or CAT scans, have been made of the skeleton and internal organs. ‘Tests for carbon 14 have been done on the grass lining ‘of one shoe and on the body itself. Carbon 14 tests are 1 way to date artifacts. See the section on radiocarbon dating later in this pamphlet. The Icomar's body will be left as intact as possble for future investigators to ‘examine with even more sophisticated techniques. arouse 33= How ARCHAEOLOGY HAPPENS. How Archaeology Happens “Archacologsts follow a careful stop by step process designed to protect resources and oblain the most information possible. “The proces includes these steps: site locaton, site excavation, artifact identification and examination, interpretation, preserva tion, and information sharing. Site Location Archaeologists find sites in many ways. ‘They sometimes study old eters, maps, Jourmas, and other documents fr clues to the locaons of historic settlements or American Indian camps, They may tse ail photographs and pictures a taken from satlites to home in on the yy N places they ae tying Ses ae sometimes found dung, yy aE surveys that may be require blore Maaating an cian sft fom the ‘new roads, dams, apartment houses, ee oe tr oer stetres ean be bl. Archaeologists walk the ete area king fo ying made Dy humane that is more than 0 yeas ok They my dg test pls or trenches inthe pathway ofthe proposed construction Trariat sppea, the site may be excvated efor const tion machinery disturbs te aren thk ometmes ple aol in the eacvery of achaeo- nga tes Scuts ona hike might noice a aowhend on the fPound, oa piece of pote. Tey dat move teat, bu fepor ihe action taehteologite who can examine the ety thre is and determine whether I sg th presence of Bite worth staying svowwcowooy 35‘when archacologsts survey an area to find sites, they will usually examine rodent burrows. Burrowing rodents sometimes uncover artifacts, Such finds in or near burrows might be a clue ‘that other items lie buried in Earth below, Newly plowed farm fies may aso turn up buried artifacts ‘When they have discovered a site, archaeologists thorough- ly examine the area before disturbing it. They walk all over the site and look for artifacts and surlace features to help them, understand what might be found there, as well as how old the site or objects might be. They may dig tes pits to get an idea of whatis below the surface ofthe ground. They may use ‘magretometry, which measures changes inthe magnetic fld that ean show features such as hearths, whee the ground twas once heated by fie. Archaeologists sometimes use ground penetrating radar and metal detectors to locate buried arfats, houses, oF pits. Information (rom the inital survey must be written down s0 thatthe site can be found again. Archaeologists often ills trate a site report with photographs, maps, and videos that help explain how a site was found and what it looked like before any excavation 3s dane 36 snesucouvov Alone orTogether? ‘discovery might tra out be an isolated find— simply an artifact or two lef in a place ‘where people dd nat spend much time, Pethaps an ancient hunter lost a spear fat fom camp, Maybe a traveler along an old road threw away the container that hele his hineh, “Te information that can be gained from an isolated find is usually limited to the artifact itself, with lite to be learned fom the anifae's surroundings. ‘An iolatd artifact such as 3 hunters fst spear point usually provides fw detail about the suture tha produced the object. Images scratched into rock surfaces are called petroghphs. Painted images sre called ‘n.1940n Lascaux, France, same boys playing in the woods found pctographs. ‘oe inthe ground. They widened it with tel Pocketknives and ‘iscovered the entrance to ncave.On the cave's white walls wore Dletogrephs-pctues of hunans and animals painted in black, ‘ellos an ved by people who had been there thousands of {ears eater svcraeo.ocy 37Why Shouldn’t You Take That Arrowhead? 4 ‘You ae ona Scout hike and you spt an arowhead, Natural, youre ected You wont to pickup took ati nore osey You want fo put— that arial in your pockst. tnd take t home with you ‘You found it but yours to tke? Before you Alp that erowhead nto poset think of al the information that lost when an arifact is pocketed and removed rom fe pce wore enfin up wrontiode-er bas of powsry se ou ston “le tote fence eight seem. «A projec pointes arceeolqits cal aowheads and spear points) found on the srfoe ofthe ground might be evidence that an und Covered wea of archacloilraton ier wating at that place, Meee ice seetieunmcaaeerenea dae tulur le + ifthe point is made of a material not found local, tight give clues tout whom the people who once lived ther traded wih, or where fever pear ies aoe might be the key to dating the entire ste When you take an ais, you takeaway 2 unique clue that he archaeologst might need to determine a sits age who ved there, ieee | + The arrowhes (Of greater value are stes—locations with a number of cooyects in the same place, perhaps the remains of fies or houses. A site might be a prehistoric eamping area, a village, ‘ora place fr storing food. I might be a community that we ‘know abou from history, such as an early pioneer settlement ‘or a fort. The artifacts found could be tools, weapons, house hold goods, potery, remains of dothing, or trash, 38 anoueotooy Site Excavation Although digging is only apart of te scientific process of ‘studying and understanding site the work of uncovering artifacts is what many people tink of when they think about archaeology. There isan excement to clearing away centuries ‘of dust oF Muck and finding arifacts that haven't been see by hhumans in hundreds o thowsands of yeas. ‘But along with that excitement comes a great responsibility to plan and carryout a proper excavation and to preserve every bit of information that can be gathered. Archaeologists work Slowly and record everything they observe about the arifac ‘and the surroundings in whieh these tems are found. If possi ble, they may leave a potion ofthe site untouched for future archaeologists to explore with new and better techniques “The reason for taking sich pains is that much of the information a site holds comes not ony from the arifacts themselves, but also from haw the items are found. Much can he learned fom the positions ofthe items, how close together they are, and in what layersof earth Plant remains were uncovered at this 3.800-yearold sit along the lowa River In Coral, lowe svcnusotooy 2940 Compared with an isolated fin, artifacts found together at a site ‘can provide more informtion about the poopie who ved there. For example, Confederate soldiers killed in Mart 1862 at Glorieta Pass in New Mexico were buried one over another. “Archaeologists excavating the site have taken cate to reveal the burials layer by layer so that they can know which artifacts 0 with which skeleton, In this way, investigators can use the artifacts to identity the solders and to lean what job each ‘mat dif the atm. Archaeologists sre especially interested in trash heaps where people threw out what they no longer needed or ‘wanted. Caled middens, the ples of trash or garbage Coften reveal much about the people who made thom. ‘There may be shell, bone, and plant remains that show what people ate. Brokon plates, bowls, and other inary tes in middens give ante of what things ‘people used in their everyday lives. | Keeping accurate records during excavation helps archaeologist learn about the site ‘oven after the dig hes concluded. ‘Once it has been moved from the spot where it was found, an atifact can never be returned to actly the same place Excavation destoys a sit, so data must be recorded before an anifact and its surroundings are disturbed. The records that drehacologsts make include ste maps, photographs of features Tike houses and pits, and drawings of arifacs ‘When accurate records are kept archaeologists willbe able to study a ste even if they sere not resent during the excava tion. ial, archaeologists study and write up thei findings ‘soon after a site has been excavated. Researchers ofthe future, however, might want to use new tools and new methods to reexamine the dala from an excavation. Accurate records are fesential for those future archacologis who will ly on data gathered today, ar even five decades ago, for research that ‘ight not be done until many years Fom now.The excavation tools used by archae ‘logists incude shovels, buckets, wheel- barrows, rowels, whisk brooms, brushes, and wire screens, Surveyors instruments are used at Large sites that have many ‘exeavation areas. At some sites, excava tion is dane with water sprayed through hoses. Other tools that are just a impor tant are graph paper, notebooks, pencils camera, and measuring equipment to record findings as they are being made. ‘An archacologlst' excavation tools include ‘rowel, whisk brooms bashes, shovel, ‘buckets, whesbamows, and wie sorens Modern-Day Middens People today throw out trash Just ‘as poople did thousands of years ‘ago. Scientists wo call themselves “garbologists” use some archaeological techniques to study modern landfills ‘and trash heaps. They look at what we toss out. From such studies, they can learn what products people use, what they est, how much they recycle, and what they value. For 8 fun projec, list the items that you and your family throw away during a woek Then imagine that archaeologists ‘a thousand years in the future fin thet trash. What will they be able to learn about your family? What wil your trash ‘say about the culture in which you live? Techniques of Excavation Archaeologists begin working ata site by establishing a grid ‘over the area with lengths cf string ted to wooden stakes. They may use a compass ofa surveyr’s transit to establish straight lines, and a tape measure to space the ines evenly. ‘An excavation will havea primary datum point that is used asa reference poiat fr laying out the squares of the grid Ideally, the primary datum point is marked permanent so that archaeologists ofthe future ean measure fom It and establish texacly where the earlier exsvation took place. The marker ‘might bea cement post of steel pipe o the datum point night be located on a permanent natural feature such as a rock outeropping, ‘When i is complete the grid will look like a big checker ‘board, Each square is usally one or two meters (about 3 10 (A feet) on aside. Each pe sauare is given a grid number fs ft Anything found within a Fat ‘eta grid square wil be 5 given the number ofthat, if Ssjare, That way, archaeolo- ly i sists can record the exact ee Spot ina site wiare each Ii |e ata is discovered, iy I Excavators also determine > datum point on the surface Ie |e ff the ground to use in mac aan lng vertical measurements ooo Usually the elevation for exch [Ms [ie [ie [tb fio [Wi [i [i [is I | [et comer of the grid is known. fu Tu Ta fas fe fe le la [a_i ‘Archaeologists can use the PH fa pe datum point o elevation i li i to measure how deeply in al i, " Earth each arifactis burl s a An arlfat’s vertical depth lt A is known as its dept Is ri Delo dau we ‘A ge sytem helps pp Se onect oestion where af ‘each artifact found. ee arcnseotocy 43Provenionce isa word orenaeoiogits soto describe the exact place in ite where an aac found Esch anifact's location can be described ional by it gid number acd vercally tits depth blow datum 44 pcan ‘This archaeologist and Scout gauge depth by taking a verti ‘mensurement thn dhe gid Sytem ‘Working their way down into Earth, archaeologists slowiy uncover a site. When they find artifacts, they use small brushes to clear away the dirt. Then they record the grid number and the depth at which an item vas found, and any other informa- tion about the artfat’s poston, appearance, and how close it iso other ariaes excavators find a cluster of anilacs, a feature such a8 hearth or a camprire, ota piece ofa strutute such as a wal Post, pit, or floor, they will document what they find even more ‘carefully, They wil make photographs and drawings o show hove all of the materials relate to one another. With proper and accurate recor and measurements is possible o recreate a ste on paper It's also possible to use 2 ‘computer to develop a thice-dimensional igre that shows the relationships between anifats (objects that can he collected and taken from the field) and features (unmovable elements ofa site such as fit pits, houses, storage areas, and butal chambers) ‘Afterall information is recorded, each artifact can be placed in a plastic o paper bag. The bag is carefully labeled with information about the objet—the site number, gid number, depth below datum, date ofthe excavation, and names of the archaeologists, Ths process preserves information about what was found together Soll that seems to contin no artifacts is sifted through a wire screen. Sifting may reeal small artifacts, bones, charcoal, Uy Makes or chips of stone (the leftovers of sione too! making) and other fragments that might otherwise be overlooked by excavators. A sample of sot may be wash in a process known ts flotation to separate out any seeda or plant remains (lies to ‘what plans people were esting) Keeping Things in Context ‘When archaeologists excavate a site, they seat for clues that can help them piece together the lives ofthe people who used that it of ground. They atempt to establish the conte of the site—where artifacts were found, how the items relate to one another, and what the ste 38a whole reveals about the people ‘who were once there For example, an excavator who finds a eay bowl In the living aea ofan ancient house might conclude thatthe bow! was 2 simple household ject with no special meaning. 1 ‘bow! were found in the tonb of aking oF on the altar of a ruined temple, however, the excavator may determine that the bow might have had sacred or ritual meaning. [Afterall information is corded sbout the exact spot where an artifact was found ‘andthe context in which twas found, the ftom can be removed from the earth, ‘bagged, and tele‘Soll rom a siti sited through a sereen to reveal small artifacts, 46 By carefully recording the contest of a ste, archaeologists can gain information that hes tell the fll story ofthe people who lived thee, Researchers consider las of evidence as they ‘establish a site's context. Among the important factors are the formation proceses that shaped the st ‘Sites are created by the activities of everyday living and by the reuse af a site overtime. Tash is tossed inthe same place day afer day, creating a ridden, Rooms ae lived in, eventually andned, and possibly eoecupie by later arrivals tothe farea. Ifa room is reoceupied, the new overs may clear away ‘debris and discard artifacts some other place. In most cates, formation processes are gradual. New bul ings ace erected on the ruins of old structures. Dust cared by the wind slowly covers the remains of an abandoned home- stead on the prairie. As the years pass, such factors as erosion ‘and changes ineimate ean afect the appearance of an area “nd the locations of artifacts within a ste. Though quite rare, tatastrophic events such a fies, floods avalanches, and voleanie eruptions may drastically reshape an area. By paying tention to the formation processes that have been at work, achaeologists can beter understand the context of a sit. tind and erosion slowly reshape a site. Time has ‘akon 9 fllon this sbandoned rock house near Lite, Arizona. Catastrophic formation processes sometimes happen suddenly. In the year A.D. 79, the volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted above the ancient towns of Pompell and Herculaneum in italy. Hot voleanic ash buried the cities, killing most ofthe people and then hardening around their bodies. he sites were discovered in 1711, Excavations ofthe cities continue even todey, yislding ‘clear pature of Iie in Pompei and Herculaneum at the moment the volcano srupted. Archaeologists have found Pompeii ‘well preserved ‘under the blanket ‘of voleanie ash, arousowoey 47