Guide – Introduction to Critical Thinking in Archaeological Research

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

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.

This guide is the starting point for a journey into free thinking applied to archaeological research. Free thinking is the cornerstone of open-mindedness and the refusal to accept conclusions simply because they are popular or traditional. It is about questioning long-held beliefs, re-evaluating evidence, and uncovering deeper truths that have long remained hidden under layers of assumption and bias.

At Brigantes Nation, we adopt a deeply eclectic approach to research. We believe that true understanding comes from synthesizing multiple inputs—historical, archaeological, and even intuitive—while remaining grounded in rigorous scrutiny. This site recognizes that the landscape surrounding key archaeological sites is just as important as the sites themselves. After all, the land holds the stories of those who lived and worked there—stories often obscured or ignored by conventional interpretations.

For example, few Iron Age forts were under permanent occupation. This simple fact opens the door to a whole host of questions about where people lived, how they moved, and the connections between sites that may not be immediately obvious. Our research embraces the notion that we may be mistakenly attributing later dates or purposes to sites, field systems, and tracks that are wrongly classified due to outdated assumptions. Critical thinking requires us to question even what has been long accepted, often for centuries. And we know that sometimes the most startling discoveries arise from challenging what we think we know.

Free thinking, therefore, is not just about applying different methods of research. It’s about fundamentally reshaping our relationship with knowledge itself. It is a practice that encourages curiosity, fosters intellectual independence, and allows us to transcend previous limitations. In archaeology, this could mean revisiting field systems situated in shadowy locations or investigating supposed “middle-age” structures without evidence—puzzles that, when scrutinized with fresh eyes, may offer us far more than we ever imagined.

This guide introduces free thinking as it applies to archaeological research and sets the foundation for a series of articles on how this concept informs various research inputs. Each form of input, whether historical data, site analysis, or material culture, requires its own subtle approach. Our goal is not only to provide you with tools for questioning the past but also to help you apply these principles in all forms of life. By learning to see with new perspectives, we can uncover truths that lead to a richer, more nuanced understanding of our world—both past and present.

Welcome to the Guide to Archaeological Research, where the past is never static, and every discovery begins with a question.