Tag: Archaeology

Guide – Empathic Archaeology: The Straw Man

A comic illustration representing the laying out of a 'straw man' in an archaeologist's mind.

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.

Guide – Empathic Archaeology Introduction

An archaeologist’s mind’s eye, representing the chaos of creation.

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.

Guide – Using the best tools for research

A car broken down on the side of the road, with the driver holding a set of tools.

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:

Guide – Challenging Assumptions with Free Thinking

One of the most powerful tools in archaeology is not just digging deeper into the earth but digging deeper into our own thinking processes. In archaeological research, we often encounter assumptions—either based on prior data, outdated methodologies, or even cultural biases—that shape how we view and interpret the past.

Guide – Introduction to Critical Thinking in Archaeological Research

A car in a river and the driver saying it is a car park

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.

Chapter 5 – The Later Neolithic Explosion

The one thousand years between 3,000 and 2,000 BC saw the Vale of Mowbray’s most significant period of development. It is at this time that the area between Boroughbridge and Catterick became the Sacred Vale, a premier ritual landscape, with Thornborough as its heart.

Henge Capital of Britain

This is the cover page for the book, Henge Capital of Britain, written by George. It reviews the larger henges in the UK and proposes that Thornborough is worthy of greater consideration when it comes to our ideas of which ancient places of power have historic importance.

Guide – Visible Remains

A lone researcher stands atop a hill in the Yorkshire Dales

Visible Remains “The identity of an earthwork can be determined to a certain extent by the shape of the field marking that is left. If it is square or rectangular with rounded comers, it is highly likely that the constructors were from the Roman army. If it is an irregular quadrilateral with a gateway on …

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Guide – Desktop Survey

A lone researcher stands atop a hill in the Yorkshire Dales

A Guide to DIY archaeology The Desktop Search Virtually all archaeological investigations begin with a desktop search of one form or another, the term desktop search simply means the sort of research you can do from a desk. Assuming that you have read the first section of this guide, you will already know about the …

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Archaeology Guide

A lone researcher stands atop a hill in the Yorkshire Dales

Imagine stepping into a world where every footstep you take leads to a new discovery, a new chapter in the long, rich story of the land beneath your feet. The hills, the valleys, the ancient stones—they are all waiting, eager to share their secrets.

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