What problems do archaeologists encounter when digging up artifacts?

Archaeology has plenty of enemies—attackers and destroyers of artifacts. Most are microscopic (like bacteria) or invisible (like the wind and earthquakes). Some are human: Looters and vandals have stolen artifacts and ruined sites since at least the time of ancient Egypt.

Is it wrong to unearth mummies?

Sometimes, yes definitely. And sometimes it’s the right thing to do, not to excavate,” says Duncan Sayer, an archaeologist who has written a book on the ethics of burial excavations.

What Happens When archaeologists dig up artefacts?

Archaeologists wash, sort, catalog, and store recovered artifacts after bringing them back from the field. They analyze individual artifacts, but also may sort them into groups to see patterns.

Is it ethical to dig up bodies for science?

“It’s not okay to excavate human remains simply because we’re archaeologists and that’s what we do,” Sayer recently told Discover Magazine. He suggests that rescue excavations — where burial sites are about to be destroyed by natural disasters — are definitely permissible.

Why do archaeologists have to be careful when excavating?

Excavation is a detailed and careful process, and knowing how it is completed at a site can have implications for the research and interpretations. First there is the interpretation of the burial itself- it is important to excavate carefully to make sure all evidence is collected.

What are the problems faced by archaeologists?

Nonetheless, today, archaeologists face many problems, such as dealing with pseudoarchaeology, the looting of artifacts, a lack of public interest, and opposition to the excavation of human remains.

Is it legal to dig up a grave?

Exhuming a corpse or interred ashes requires legal permission. Other religions can be opposed to exhumation as well and unwilling to sanction disinterment of remains within their own cemeteries.

Are archaeologists grave robbers?

Originally Answered: Are archeologists just grave robbers with degrees? No. For a start, archaeologists only sometimes deal with graves. Most of archaeology involves excavation of ruined buildings, garbage dumps, or other things which people have deliberately abandoned because they didn’t want them any more.

Is it OK to dig up graves?

Archaeological excavation of human remains must be undertaken sensitively, treating the remains with respect, dignity and due care, as well as screened from public view. Once excavated, the remains may be studied by an osteologist, a specialist in the study of human skeletons.

How do archaeologists map artifacts in archaeological sites?

When archaeologists encounter artifacts in an archaeological site, they photograph the position and context of the artifiacts. Then they map the artifacts according to the site units depth and location where they were found.

What happens to artifacts after they are excavated?

Then they map the artifacts according to the site units depth and location where they were found. The excavation is continued and the artifacts are removed from the context and placed in labeled bags which record the context where they were found.

What can we learn from human skeleton analysis?

Human skeletal remains are a very direct, and substantial link to past human occupation in way that everyone can understand, and there is much to learn through osteological analysis, or the study of bones.

What do archaeologists need to get permission to dig?

Once a site is chosen, archaeologists must get permission to dig from the landowner. If it is public land, they must obtain the proper permit s from the local, state, or federal government. Before moving a single grain of dirt, archaeologists make maps of the area and take detailed photographs.

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