ANTH 235,
THE PROCESS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
“Archaeologists don’t excavate data; they excavate
objects” – David Hurst Thomas
(In other words, objects become data in the process of
archaeological research).
Modern archaeological research proceeds on the firm basis
of a plan devised long before fieldwork is begun. This plan
is called a research design.
Modern archaeology is best described as an
interdisciplinary (not merely multidisciplinary) endeavor.
Archaeologists today must incorporate the skills of the:
 theoretical scientist (define appropriate research
questions, evaluate and synthesize results and interpret
them in light of the goals originally set)
 methodologist (plan approaches to be used in research
to meet theoretical goals, choose tactics of data
collection and analysis, coordinate specialists from
other fields)
 technician (Popular notion of archaeologist.
Archaeologist as excavator, interested in various
means by which data are collected. Explorer,
surveyor, cartographer, photo interpreter, architect,
car mechanic...
Recording and processing data require other technical
skills: photography, drafting, conservation, database
management)
 administrator (keep all phases of excavation and
subsequent analysis on schedule, acquire excavation
permits, accountant...)
 writer & editor (the job’s not done until the results are
published!)
Archaeology and The Scientific Method:
 deductive reasoning moves from the general to the
specific
 inductive reasoning moves from the specific to the
general
Another way to look at this: In The Matrix: Reloaded
and The Matrix: Revolutions, while the Oracle (as her
name suggests) is endowed with foresight, the Merovingian
is gifted with hindsight. Or restated, the Oracle’s special
ability is inductive reasoning, whereas the Merovingian’s
strength is deductive reasoning. This explains why the
Merovingian’s worldview is based upon causality and the
reason that, throughout these films, he is primarily
interested in why and how events unfold…
Traditional archaeology was site oriented
(e.g., Heinrich Schliemann at Troy; Howard Carter in
the Valley of the Kings – below).
Howard Carter & assistant opening Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus, 1923
Modern archaeology is problem oriented; it seeks to
answer processual and behavioral questions…
Most archaeological questions can be answered without
any excavation at all!
Common US sources of funding for archaeological
projects:
 National Endowment for the Humanities
 National Science Foundation
 National Park Service
 National Geographic Society
 other private foundations (Wenner-Gren, Leakey, etc.)
 federal, state, local, and private monies for contract
archaeology
Phases in the acquisition of archaeological data:
 reconnaissance (the location and identification of
archaeological sites) and survey (recording as much as
possible about archaeological sites without excavation
 scientific excavation
Analysis of archaeological data may include:
 typological classifications (mostly descriptive)
 chronometric determinations (age dating)
 technical analyses (what an artifact is made of; traces
of use wear)
Interpretation of Archaeological Data:
The use of scientific procedures in interpreting data is
what differentiates the professional archaeologist from all
others.
Identification of an artifact’s age, material, or
function is not the end goal of archaeology!
Interpretation of the behavioral significance of
artifacts in the context of the society that produced
them is the goal.
Dissemination of results: the process of archaeological
research is not finished until the results of interpretation are
published or otherwise distributed!
 Site reports: monographic, encyclopedic
treatments of research projects.
 Journal articles: shorter, more focused
discussions of particular topics.
 Other media: lectures, popular press, web sites,
videos, blogs, podcasts, etc.
SUMMARY:
THE SEQUENCE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
1. Archaeological investigations always begin with a
research design. Why excavate a particular site or sites?
Can the research question be answered without any
excavation or fieldwork at all?
2. Analysis must proceed in as many directions as possible.
It is insufficient to merely classify artifacts by their
shape or hypothetical function.
3. Interpretation and explanation are the ultimate goals
of archaeological research. This goes beyond merely
describing the function of artifacts. The process
attempts to reconstruct the living culture (systemic
context) which produced the material remains left behind
for the archaeologist.
4. No archaeological research project is complete until all
relevant information is published or otherwise
disseminated.
See the web site of the Blombos Cave Project in South
Africa (http://www.svf.uib.no/sfu/blombos/index.htm) as a
model for public outreach, including the ability to make
on-line requests for traditionally published materials.