Blog Archive

Legal frameworks designed to protect archaeological sites and historical artifacts from destruction or unauthorized excavation. These laws vary by country but aim to balance heritage conservation with modern development.

An approach that encourages archaeologists to immerse themselves in the mindset of past peoples, imagining how they lived, thought, and experienced the world. This method uses both evidence and creative hypothesis-building to better understand ancient cultures.

A branch of archaeology that studies the relationship between human activity and the environment over time. This includes analyzing ancient land use, settlement patterns, and how natural features influenced historical development.

A managed system of irrigation used in historic agriculture to maintain fertile pastures. Water Meadows allowed controlled flooding to prevent frost damage, extend the growing season, and improve grazing land. Some prehistoric and medieval sites show signs of similar land management techniques.

An ancient plough used in Iron Age Britain, particularly in Brigantia. Unlike modern ploughs, it did not turn the soil but scratched shallow furrows. Evidence of ards has been found in English Brigantia, offering insight into prehistoric farming techniques.

The idea that some materials, locations, and even entire cultures are better preserved than others due to environmental and historical factors. This influences what archaeologists find and how history is reconstructed.

The role of natural conditions (e.g., soil type, sedimentation, and climate) in determining how well artifacts survive. For example, waterlogged sites may preserve wooden artifacts, while acidic soils destroy bones.

The storage and maintenance of archaeological records, reports, and site data in digital formats. This ensures long-term accessibility, allowing future researchers to study past findings even if physical materials degrade.

The effort to safeguard traditions, languages, rituals, and knowledge systems of past societies. It ensures that non-material aspects of heritage—such as belief systems, crafts, and oral histories—are not lost over time.

The process of physically conserving artifacts and structures to prevent decay. This may involve stabilizing delicate materials, using protective enclosures, or controlling environmental conditions in museums or excavation sites.