Archaeology

Archaeology

Archaeology (or archeology) is the study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. Archaeology is often considered a branch of socio-cultural anthropology, but archaeologists also draw from biological, geological, and environmental systems through their study of the past. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts and cultural landscapes. Archaeology can be considered both a social science and a branch of the humanities. In Europe it is often viewed as either a discipline in its own right or a sub-field of other disciplines, while in North America archaeology is a sub-field of anthropology.Archaeologists study human prehistory and history, from the development of the first stone tools at Lomekwi in East Africa 3.3 million years ago up until recent decades. Archaeology is distinct from palaeontology, which is the study of fossil remains. It is particularly important for learning about prehistoric societies, for whom there may be no written records to study. Prehistory includes over 99% of the human past, from the Paleolithic until the advent of literacy in societies across the world. Archaeology has various goals, which range from understanding culture history to reconstructing past lifeways to documenting and explaining changes in human societies through time. Derived from the Greek, the term archaeology literally means “the study of ancient history.”The discipline involves surveying, excavation and eventually analysis of data collected to learn more about the past. In broad scope, archaeology relies on cross-disciplinary research. Archaeology developed out of antiquarianism in Europe during the 19th century, and has since become a discipline practiced across the world. Archaeology has been used by nation-states to create particular visions of the past. Since its early development, various specific sub-disciplines of archaeology have developed, including maritime archaeology, feminist archaeology and archaeoastronomy, and numerous different scientific techniques have been developed to aid archaeological investigation. Nonetheless, today, archaeologists face many problems, such as dealing with pseudoarchaeology, the looting of artifacts, a lack of public interest, and opposition to the excavation of human remains.

Latest Publications

Cover image for Decipherment of Indus Script: Current Status and Way Forward Conference

Decipherment of Indus Script: Current Status and Way Forward Conference

ASI: Archaeological Survey of India. Government of India.

This document outlines a conference organized by the Archaeological Survey of India focusing on the decipherment of the Indus Script. The conference aims to bring together scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts …

Cover image for Archaeological Monitoring at Dalby Kungsgård, 2020

Archaeological Monitoring at Dalby Kungsgård, 2020

Kulturen

This report details archaeological monitoring conducted in 2020 at Dalby Kungsgård, Lund Municipality, Skåne, in connection with the installation of district heating. The monitoring aimed to protect and document archaeological …

Cover image for Manpower Supply for Monument Maintenance in Kerala: Tender Notice

Manpower Supply for Monument Maintenance in Kerala: Tender Notice

ASI: Archaeological Survey of India. Government of India.

This document is a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Thrissur Circle, for providing manpower supply (unskilled labor) for the day-to-day maintenance of monuments …

Cover image for Draft Seniority List of Superintending Archaeological Engineers (ASI) as of 01.01.2025

Draft Seniority List of Superintending Archaeological Engineers (ASI) as of 01.01.2025

ASI: Archaeological Survey of India. Government of India.

This office memorandum from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) circulates a draft seniority list of Superintending Archaeological Engineers as of January 1, 2025. The list is compiled based on …

Cover image for Archaeological Investigations of Cultivation Remains in Jämtland County: A Knowledge Base

Archaeological Investigations of Cultivation Remains in Jämtland County: A Knowledge Base

Jamtli

This report summarizes archaeological investigations of cultivation remains in Jämtland County, Sweden, conducted between 1995 and 2024, with some earlier investigations included. It aims to provide a knowledge base for …

Cover image for Rajat Sanyal: Archaeology Bio

Rajat Sanyal: Archaeology Bio

CU: University of Calcutta

This document is a bio of Rajat Sanyal, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Calcutta. It details his educational qualifications, research experience, teaching …

Cover image for Heritage Science and Technology M.Tech Program Overview

Heritage Science and Technology M.Tech Program Overview

IITH: Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad

This document outlines the curriculum and eligibility criteria for the M.Tech program in Heritage Science and Technology (HST). The program integrates science and technology to study and utilize heritage assets …

Cover image for List of Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites in India

List of Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites in India

ASI: Archaeological Survey of India. Government of India.

This document provides a state-wise and circle-wise list of centrally protected monuments and sites in India as maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It details the name of …

Cover image for Archaeological Investigation of Fjälkinge Church, 2017

Archaeological Investigation of Fjälkinge Church, 2017

Kulturen

This report details the archaeological cleaning and building archaeological investigation conducted at Fjälkinge Church in 2017 due to moisture problems and planned insulation work. The investigation involved removing organic material …

Cover image for Archaeological Investigations of Medieval Agrarian Settlements in Jämtland County: A Knowledge Base

Archaeological Investigations of Medieval Agrarian Settlements in Jämtland County: A Knowledge Base

Jamtli

This report compiles archaeological investigations of medieval agrarian settlements in Jämtland County, Sweden, to serve as a knowledge base for future archaeological management and research. The compilation includes both commissioned …