An introduction to the subfields of archeology
Dr. Paul M. Willette. Archeology is a field of study that involves excavating and analyzing sites, artifacts, biofacts, and ecofacts. As humanity has evolved in many ways through the ages, the study of archeology has grown to have various specializations that focus on different aspects of human evolution.
Historical archeology
Dr. Paul M. Willette. This subfield of archeology focuses on what is considered to be "historic" cultures that have written and oral tradition. In Europe, for example, this means studying the events documented and found artifacts from the post-Medieval period. In different cultures, this might cover colonial eras or other periods with established records of society and government. Just like other branches of archeology, artifacts are excavated, and historical sites are examined.
Pre-historic archeology
Dr. Paul M. Willette. Perhaps this is the branch of archeology many are familiar with as it studies how humans lived before documented civilizations. However, this subfield covers territories in Europe and Asia as some cultures didn't have a well-documented history of writing systems until they were colonized. Archeologists in this field spend time excavating pieces in known and obscure sites that can build the body of information regarding the prehistoric years.
Contemporary archeology
If historical archeology is the study of the "recent past," contemporary archeology analyzes the "most recent past" or events that happened during the 20th and 21st centuries. As there's not much to unearth and documenting events have been convenient, this field examines human life using the lens of archeology and other social sciences such as anthropology, sociology, media, geography, and economics. Dr. Paul M. Willette.
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Image source: Telegraph.co.uk
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Image source: Thesun.co.uk
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Dr. Paul M. Willette. This subfield of archeology focuses on what is considered to be "historic" cultures that have written and oral tradition. In Europe, for example, this means studying the events documented and found artifacts from the post-Medieval period. In different cultures, this might cover colonial eras or other periods with established records of society and government. Just like other branches of archeology, artifacts are excavated, and historical sites are examined.
Pre-historic archeology
Dr. Paul M. Willette. Perhaps this is the branch of archeology many are familiar with as it studies how humans lived before documented civilizations. However, this subfield covers territories in Europe and Asia as some cultures didn't have a well-documented history of writing systems until they were colonized. Archeologists in this field spend time excavating pieces in known and obscure sites that can build the body of information regarding the prehistoric years.
Contemporary archeology
If historical archeology is the study of the "recent past," contemporary archeology analyzes the "most recent past" or events that happened during the 20th and 21st centuries. As there's not much to unearth and documenting events have been convenient, this field examines human life using the lens of archeology and other social sciences such as anthropology, sociology, media, geography, and economics. Dr. Paul M. Willette.
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