Thursday 18 August 2016

Essential Info On Southeast Alaska Archaeology

By Sharon Phillips


Basically, archaeology involves studying the ancient as well as the recent human past by examining material remains. It is part of anthropology a field that involves study of human culture. From the million-year-old fossil remains of the human ancestors to the present day building of the 20th century, archaeologists analyze the physical remains as they seek a comprehensive and a broad understanding of human culture. With southeast Alaska archaeology, you can have a unique perspective on the human history and culture which has significantly contributed to the understanding of the ancient and recent past.

Archaeology is not only important for understanding where and when people lived, but also helps to understand why and how they actually lived. This is possible by examining the changes as well as the causes of such changes in human cultures over time. History depends primarily on documents and written records to interpret lives and events. However, archaeologist dig far back on the time prior to written languages and analyzes the lives of people by looking at the things they made and left behind. This field covers all time periods and geographical regions where people lived.

Archaeologists perform their study on what is referred to as archaeological sites. The sites are usually located in areas having some proof of past human activity. The sites may be small campsites having scattered stones as flanks, usually a sign of tool manufacture or modification by the inhabitants. The sites may as well be complex and large with numerous structures in addition to a number of artifacts.

Archaeological evidence has features such as storage pits, hearths, burial mounds, archaeological structures or petroglyphs at a rock site. Archaeologists may also gather their evidence from seeds, snail shell, pollen or animal bones that were not used by people directly. However, such evidences can tell more about the kind of diet for the people who lived in the site and how the environment was like.

Wrong conclusions have suggested that archaeology imitates history as a discipline. In fact, the other way is true. Two main benefits can be attributed to archaeological based evidence. First, make it possible to dig into the most remote eras so as to know the unknown. Secondly, the archaeologists handle evidences that are tangible thus adding to credibility that the rest of human sciences never attain.

Efforts by archaeologist could reveal much in relation to the present-day issues pertaining identity as well as possession. This is made possible through discovering valuable details relating to artifacts, bones and land, which can aid in offering solutions to issues of custody of land rights of the minority groups.

The role played by archaeological studies is very important. This field contributes significantly by revealing artifacts and cultural ways that help in identifying incorrect historical views and understandings. The field is also important in creating unity of diversity in varied civilizations and cultures. This also helps in rediscovering our own selves.

Therefore, by losing an archaeological artefact of site would be like losing a story that cannot be retold. Hence, to preserve the past, archaeology must be treated as a valuable discipline. This is because it brings out the buried pasts as well as the misconstrued stories.




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