Landscape archaeology is a vital tool for understanding how ancient peoples interacted with their environment, shaping and being shaped by the land they lived on.
Period: Unknown
Jan 21
Guide – Empathic Archaeology: Building a Strong Straw Man
Empathic Archaeology: Building a Strong Straw Man Question Everything and Question Again When engaging in Empathic Archaeology, the process of creating and refining a straw man—a provisional model of the past—requires a delicate balance of imagination and rigor. The archaeologist’s imagination fills the skeleton of the straw man with ideas and concepts, but these must …
Jan 21
Guide – Empathic Archaeology: The Straw Man
At first glance, the idea of psychoanalyzing an “imaginary alien” might sound outlandish, but it perfectly mirrors the approach many archaeologists must take when trying to understand ancient cultures. These cultures are far removed from our own in time, and often in social structure, belief systems, and material culture.
Jan 21
Guide – Empathic Archaeology Introduction
Empathic archaeology is the practice of immersing oneself in the worldview of the people being studied, allowing archaeologists and researchers to interpret artifacts, structures, and landscapes through the lens of the individuals who created or used them.
Jan 21
Guide – Critical Thinking: Lack of Evidence Does Not Mean Evidence of Lack
In archaeology, the phrase “lack of evidence does not mean evidence of lack” is an important reminder that the absence of proof does not necessarily prove something does not exist or did not happen.
Jan 21
Guide – Using the best tools for research
For amateur researchers who don’t have access to extensive professional resources, there are still several methods and tools they can use to cross-check previous findings and apply a holistic approach. While they may never have access to every piece of data, they can still adopt strategies that lead to more accurate, well-rounded interpretations. Here are some practical approaches:
Jan 21
Guide – Introduction to Critical Thinking in Archaeological Research
In the world of archaeology, as with all forms of inquiry, the pursuit of truth begins with the ability to think critically and independently. Archaeology is often seen as the science of uncovering the past, but it is equally the art of understanding how we approach and interpret evidence. In the case of the Brigantes Nation, a tribe whose history is riddled with gaps and assumptions, critical thinking is not only useful—it is essential.
Ramsgill Celtic Head
The Celtic Head in Ramsgill, North Yorkshire, is a fascinating artifact that offers a glimpse into the region’s ancient past.
Earthworks at Paradigm Sharpening, Nelholme, Wensleydale
In the grounds of Paradigm Sharpening, Nelholme, West Burton, on both sides of the roads are what looks like two natural amphitheatres, which may have been enhanced by the local people are used as a meeting place. I can’t find any research on this location, but it is of sufficient interest to record.
Earthwork 300m East of the Entrance to Swinton Castle
There is an earwork, approximately 300m east of the entrance to swinton castle. It is a small elongated hill, with three terraces on either side of it. It sit along in the landscape as such a feature, and the terraces seem impractactacle and redundant for crops in what is otherwise a flat landscape. It looks like a garden feature, a work of art, but it is outside of the castle grounds, and I have seen similarly carved hills elsewhere, far from stately grounds.
