Archaeology: Digging Up the Past

Archaeologists are scientists who learn about the past by studying objects people left behind, called artifacts. They carefully dig at sites, using small tools and brushes so nothing breaks. Every object's location is measured and recorded, because where something is found helps explain how it was used.

Pottery, tools, bones and building remains can tell us what people ate, how they lived and what they believed. Archaeology helps us learn about people who left no written records at all.