Archaeologists believe we can understand the present by studying the past. They search for historical remnants left behind by people. There are several different types of historical items that archaeologists use to understand Native American culture, including American Indian artifacts, features, and eco-facts.
Artifacts are man-made and easy to carry, moving them does not change their underlying purpose. An example of this might be a weapon or a carved bowl. A feature is also something that is man-made but it is not easy to carry and if it is moved then it changes its purpose. An example might be a well or a wall.
Natural, non-man-made items are called eco-facts. Studying them gives insight about the culture and people that used them. An example of an eco-fact is a buried pet or food. The biggest difference between an eco-fact and an artifact is whether it comes from nature or from man.
Archaeologists often work at a site. A site is a location where artifacts, features, and eco-facts are found. This might include one, two, or all three of these. The archaeologist uses various ways to define the borders of a site; it might be a physical boundary, such as a fence, or it might just be the last place items are found.
The next thing an archaeologist must consider is whether the site is a primary or secondary context. Primary context sites are ones that have not been disturbed by subsequent human actions. Secondary context sites have been disturbed by other humans after the first human occupants departed.
In order to draw their conclusions, archaeologists have to consider the principle of association. This is the relationship that is formed by two items that they find near each other. One example might be finding cooking items in a room that also contained a stove. This might indicate that the room was a kitchen.
The reason that archaeologists must consider all of these factors in order to understand what happened in the past is because they cannot interview Native Americans from that period. The only way to gain an understanding is to look at what they were doing, how they were living, and the items they surrounded themselves with in order to draw conclusions about their culture.
The biggest threat to Native American culture today, is looting. In New Mexico, for example, an estimated 95% of all archaeological sites have been looted. The looters have taken everything from these sites, including pottery, pendants, clothing, figurines, pots, and arrowheads. Law enforcement is working to catch them though, in 2006 undercover agents purchased $325,000 worth of artifacts from looters. They arrested and indicted 47 people as a result of these buys. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, according to agents.
A lot of people would say that there is nothing wrong with picking up American Indian artifacts. Most people will even pick up an arrowhead while they are walking around without understanding they are committing a crime. However, this is looting and it is illegal. Even if we do not consider the legality though, we should consider how much historical knowledge is being lost. It is important to preserve historical knowledge so that we can learn about other cultures and understand the lessons learned.
Artifacts are man-made and easy to carry, moving them does not change their underlying purpose. An example of this might be a weapon or a carved bowl. A feature is also something that is man-made but it is not easy to carry and if it is moved then it changes its purpose. An example might be a well or a wall.
Natural, non-man-made items are called eco-facts. Studying them gives insight about the culture and people that used them. An example of an eco-fact is a buried pet or food. The biggest difference between an eco-fact and an artifact is whether it comes from nature or from man.
Archaeologists often work at a site. A site is a location where artifacts, features, and eco-facts are found. This might include one, two, or all three of these. The archaeologist uses various ways to define the borders of a site; it might be a physical boundary, such as a fence, or it might just be the last place items are found.
The next thing an archaeologist must consider is whether the site is a primary or secondary context. Primary context sites are ones that have not been disturbed by subsequent human actions. Secondary context sites have been disturbed by other humans after the first human occupants departed.
In order to draw their conclusions, archaeologists have to consider the principle of association. This is the relationship that is formed by two items that they find near each other. One example might be finding cooking items in a room that also contained a stove. This might indicate that the room was a kitchen.
The reason that archaeologists must consider all of these factors in order to understand what happened in the past is because they cannot interview Native Americans from that period. The only way to gain an understanding is to look at what they were doing, how they were living, and the items they surrounded themselves with in order to draw conclusions about their culture.
The biggest threat to Native American culture today, is looting. In New Mexico, for example, an estimated 95% of all archaeological sites have been looted. The looters have taken everything from these sites, including pottery, pendants, clothing, figurines, pots, and arrowheads. Law enforcement is working to catch them though, in 2006 undercover agents purchased $325,000 worth of artifacts from looters. They arrested and indicted 47 people as a result of these buys. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, according to agents.
A lot of people would say that there is nothing wrong with picking up American Indian artifacts. Most people will even pick up an arrowhead while they are walking around without understanding they are committing a crime. However, this is looting and it is illegal. Even if we do not consider the legality though, we should consider how much historical knowledge is being lost. It is important to preserve historical knowledge so that we can learn about other cultures and understand the lessons learned.
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