Learn More About Southeast Alaska Archaeology

By Sharon Phillips


Archaeology centers on studying all recent as well as past human history by investigating material remains. This is a division of anthropology that focuses on the exploring human cultures. Starting with the millions of years aged fossils to present day 20th century buildings and human ancestors, archaeologists study the physical leftovers with the aim of comprehensively developing an understanding of human culture. Southeast Alaska archaeology, enable you to have that unique point of view of human history as well as culture that considerably contribute towards understanding the recent past and ancient history.

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.

There are instances where archaeology is thought of as an imitation to the discipline of history. It is actually the vice versa. There are two main advantages got from archaeological evidences. To begin with, there is a possibility of stretching back to the eras that were so remote in order to understand an unknown. Secondly, archaeologist handle tangible evidences hence this provides credibility not provided by other human sciences.

The efforts put by archaeologist expose the much-needed information about issues in the present day that revolve around identity or possession. This is a possibility through unearthing of valuable facts about land, bones and artifacts that may help in solving issues of land rights retention by minority group.

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, in the loss of a given archaeological artifact from a given site, it amounts to losing one story that might never be narrated. Hence, in preserving history, archaeology as a discipline needs to be treated with some worth. This is as it brings to life the buried pasts on top of the stories misconstrued.




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