archaeologists
Ancient site researchers
Archaeologists are scientists who study human history through excavation and analysis of physical remains—artifacts, structures, bones, and other material evidence left behind by past cultures.
They dig at sites ranging from ancient cities to prehistoric caves, piecing together how people lived before written records.
The archaeologists uncovered pottery shards dating back three thousand years.
Human culture researcher
- historianExpert on past events
- epigrapherAncient carving interpreter
- paleoanthropologistResearcher of early hominids
- numismatistCurrency and medal scholar
paleontologist · Egyptologist · classicist · curator · conservator
Flat blade for spreading
- digUnearth by shoveling
- siteDesignated location
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- trenchLong narrow excavation
shovel · soil · sediment · layer · context · grid · survey · screening
Fired clay objects
- sherdsBroken pottery fragments
- flintSpark-producing sedimentary rock
- beadsSmall pierced ornaments for stringing
- jewelryOrnamental personal accessories
coins · statuettes · inscriptions · ceramics · tools · weapons · amulets · vases
Apex-topped geometric solids
- templesHoly places or head sides
- hieroglyphicsSymbolic picture-based writing
- MesopotamiaTigris-Euphrates river region
- SumeriansAncient southern Mesopotamian people
Babylonians · Assyrians · ziggurats · cuneiform · Rosetta · Stonehenge · Olmecs · Maya
Organized exploratory journey
- unearthedRetrieved from the ground
- tombUnderground chamber for remains
- burialPlacing deceased underground
- ruinsDecayed structural remains
cache · hoard · excavated · uncovered · find · treasure · chamber · mummy
Isotope-based age measurement
- thermoluminescenceLight from heated irradiated material
- dendrochronologyDating via growth rings
- remote sensingGathering data without contact
- photogrammetryDeriving measurements from photographs
radiocarbon · LiDAR · magnetometry · seriation · typology · provenance · cataloging · restoration
anthropologist
Human culture researcher
- historianExpert on past events
- epigrapherAncient carving interpreter
- paleoanthropologistResearcher of early hominids
numismatist · paleontologist · Egyptologist · classicist · curator · conservator
trowel
Flat blade for spreading
- digUnearth by shoveling
- siteDesignated location
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
trench · shovel · soil · sediment · layer · context · grid · survey · screening · fieldwork
pottery
Fired clay objects
- sherdsBroken pottery fragments
- flintSpark-producing sedimentary rock
- beadsSmall pierced ornaments for stringing
jewelry · coins · statuettes · inscriptions · ceramics · tools · weapons · amulets · vases · textiles
pyramids
Apex-topped geometric solids
- templesHoly places or head sides
- hieroglyphicsSymbolic picture-based writing
- MesopotamiaTigris-Euphrates river region
Sumerians · Babylonians · Assyrians · ziggurats · cuneiform · Rosetta · Stonehenge · Olmecs · Maya · Aztecs
expedition
Organized exploratory journey
- unearthedRetrieved from the ground
- tombUnderground chamber for remains
- burialPlacing deceased underground
ruins · cache · hoard · excavated · uncovered · find · treasure · chamber · mummy · skeleton
carbon-dating
Isotope-based age measurement
- thermoluminescenceLight from heated irradiated material
- dendrochronologyDating via growth rings
- remote sensingGathering data without contact
photogrammetry · radiocarbon · LiDAR · magnetometry · seriation · typology · provenance · cataloging · restoration · preservation
- notable peoplepoliticians, artists, leaders, writers, scientists
- archaeologyexcavation, dig site, dig, digs, artifact
- AnthropologistsMargaret Mead, anthropologists, ethnographers, ethnologists, paleoanthropologists
- earth scientistsgeologists, geophysicists, geochemists, geoscientists, seismologists
- Egypt travelNile cruises, Giza pyramids, Giza, Abu Simbel, Valley of Kings
- historianshistorian, historians, chronicler, chroniclers, annalist
archaeologistsfuturists
Predictors of coming developments
sociologists · anthropologists · ethnographers · urban planners
archaeologistslooters
Those who steal during chaos
grave robbers · vandals · demolition crews · developers · construction workers