Introduction to
Archaeology and Ethics
By
Ms. Hesson
What is Archaeology?
The study of historic and
prehistoric peoples and their
cultures by looking at
artifacts
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What is an Artifact?
Any
object made by humans
such as a tool or the remains
of one such as a pottery
sherd
Artifact Ethics
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Our nations archaeological sites are being destroyed
and plundered
Scientific information is being destroyed
Native Americans lose an important part of their
heritage
Large quantities of human remains, pottery rock art,
and sites of habitation are being lost and important
links to the past – gone forever
It is important to protect archaeological sites and
artifacts
Examples showing
destruction of artifacts
Larsen Cave near Prairie du Chien
Red arm with nearby damage
Larsen Cave, red bird with recent
damage
Larsen Cave, looter’s pit
Looter’s pit
More destruction in Iowa County, WI
The
Damage is
irreversible!
Gottschall vandalism
Once the past is
destroyed, early cultures
can no longer be
accurately dated and
studied.
Act now to save
the links to our
past.
As a follow up to the PowerPoint
presentation, I will have my students
make a brochure to be put into
visitor stops on the bike trail in our
communities. The brochure will
feature how and why to protect sites.