What Type of Work Do Archaeologists Do?
An archaeologist is a person who, through examination of people and cultures of the past, determines the social structures of the times gone by. Archaeologists help greatly in the discovery of history and also help in drawing pictures of how the human world looked centuries ago. An archaeologist's job is very interesting, though it can be time-consuming. Patience and perseverance, therefore, become the virtues of an archaeologist. An archaeologist also works closely with anthropologists and helps in mapping the human behavioral trends of the past.
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Looking for Features
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Features are very important to archaeology. A feature is something that is discovered at a site but is too large or immobile to be transported anywhere else. A feature can be the remains of an old church, the pillar of a dilapidated house, a relic from the Middle Ages and so on. Archaeologists constantly look for such features as they always provide invaluable clues about the past.
Collecting Data and Artifacts
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Apart from features, an archaeologist also works to unearth a whole lot of artifacts. An artifact is any object that is found at the archaeological site which is small enough to be carried back to the labs and research halls. The artifacts that are found are carefully numbered and dated. This is an important aspect of the archaeologist's job, as labeling the artifact incorrectly can lead to complete sets of faulty data being recorded.
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Mapping
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Mapping and compassing are two essential duties of an archaeologist. As a result, an archaeologist is always seen with a map and compass in hand. The maps and compasses help the archaeologists in finding the exact site, allowing them to begin the job of excavation. Additionally, a special kind of map is used by the archaeologists. They jot down all their findings in a map and use it for future reference. When a feature cannot be removed from the site, these 'maps' come in handy.
Excavation
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Excavation or digging is perhaps the work that is most commonly associated with an archaeologist. Digging, however, is one of the most difficult parts of the job. It has to be done with specialized instruments, such as magnetometers, earth-piercing radars and other special meters. Common tools like garden shovels are also used. Archaeologists exercise extreme caution while digging as there is always a threat of the features or artifacts getting destroyed in the process.
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References
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