Archaeology on the web
The world exists for the education of man.
There is no age, or state of society, or mode of action in history,
to which there is not something corresponding in his own life.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, archaeology is defined as "the scientific study of the material remains of past human life and activities." But that definition only begins to define the complexity and intricacy of archaeological study.
What follows is a list of sites which reflects the depth and breadth of archaeological research around the world. Each site reveals a different facet of the field of archaeology, but also represents a component of the US government actively engaged in archaeological research or education. It is important to understand that reflecting and studying the past in a scientific way will help us understand our past, and may lead us to the discoveries of the future.
NATIONAL
PARK SERVICE SITES
Archaeology at NPS
"The archeological record--the sites and objects left by those who came before us--tells about the diverse cultural heritage of the U.S. The peoples who lived long before us, their religions, technologies, and houses, and the environments in which they lived can be discovered through archeology. Check out our web sites that introduce you to the discoveries of National Park Service archeologists and their partners."
http://www.cr.nps.gov/archeology.htm
Archeology and Ethnography Program, NPS
National Park Service Archeology and Ethnography program provides national
coordination for the protection, preservation, and interpretation of America's
archeological and ethnographic resources inside the National Park system and
beyond. Cultural anthropologists, also called ethnographers, provide support for
management efforts aimed at preserving both the cultural and natural resources
associated with living peoples and their communities within park units.
http://www.cr.nps.gov/aad/
Public
Archeology in the U.S. A Timeline
Take a journey through time and see the
development of public archaeology in the United States. This timeline starts
with Thomas Jefferson in 1794 and finishes with the 1990s. See how public archaeology
developed and changed through the years and discover key events that shaped the
discipline. This feature is a great learning tool for anyone interested in archaeology
in the U.S. http://www.cr.nps.gov/aad/timeline/timeline.htm
Southeast Archaeological
Center: Andersonville Site
Andersonville, Georgia, is the site of the best known of all the American
Civil War (1861-1865) prisoner-of-war (POW) camps. Andersonville is located in
south-central Georgia, near the towns of Americus and Plains.
http://www.cr.nps.gov/seac/andearch.htm
US NAVY ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Underwater Archaeology Branch
The Underwater Archaeology Branch advises the Navy in matters related to
historic preservation of U.S. Navy ship and aircraft wrecks.
http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/nhcorg12.htm
ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE SCIENTIFIC WORLD
Remote
Sensing Archeology Research at NASA
NASA uses remote sensing for archeology research in the Peten Guatemala,
Arenal region of Costa Rica, and Chaco Canyon in New Mexico.
http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/archeology/
SIR-C/X-SAR: Archaeology
Images of famous archaeological sites around the world taken from NASA
satellites. Angkor, Cambodia; Dakhla Oasis; Giza, Egypt; Great Wall
of China; Great Wall, China; Hotien East China, Silk Route.
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/radar/sircxsar/archaeology.html
US Geological Service
Archaeologists use maps of all types to determine the exact location of their excavations or surveys. The USGS site has a number of helpful maps for researchers.
http://edcwww.cr.usgs.gov/webglis
REGIONAL ARCHAEOLOGY
Southeast Archeological Center
The Southeast Archeological Center continues a thirty-year tradition within
the National Park Service of archeological research, collections management, and
technical support for national park units, as well as interagency assistance and
public outreach.
http://www.cr.nps.gov/seac/seac.htm
Archaeology
of the Tundra and Arctic Alaska
In this zone, which can be up to several hundred kilometers broad, developed
much of the culture of modern Eskimo (Inupiat and Yupik in Alaska) peoples. Some
decisive and significant adaptations took place here and in adjacent Siberia
that allowed a more efficient exploitation of this zone. Settlements spread and
grew, in some places becoming more specialized, as the historically visible
cultures appeared.
http://www.nps.gov/akso/akarc/arctic.htm
Bureau of Land Management: Anasazi Heritage Center Project
Archaeology Heritage Education Program
BLM manages an estimated five million prehistoric and historic properties, many
situated in remote locations and vulnerable to vandalism and destruction.
http://www.co.blm.gov/ahc/projarc.htm
Daniel Boone
National Forest
The Daniel Boone National Forest contains 3,336 documented archaeological
sites of which 2,005 are listed or are considered potentially eligible for
listing on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the oldest
dated site in the southeastern United States and has the largest concentration
of prehistoric rock art sites in the eastern United States. The earliest
evidence of plant domestication in the eastern United States is located here,
and visitors can see more rock shelter sites at Daniel Boone than any other
Forest. A wealth of information on Kentucky's prehistoric cultures!
http://www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/boone/arch.htm
Mammoth Cave Archaeology
Archaeology at Mammoth Cave Paleoindians Over 12,000 years ago, when huge
sheets of thick glacial ice covered large portions of the North American
continent, small nomadic groups of people wandered over the Kentucky landscape.
http://www.nps.gov/maca/archeo.htm
NASA Archaeology Research - Chaco
Canyon, New Mexico
NASA uses remote sensing archaeology research to discover prehistoric
roadways in the Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.
http://www.ghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/archeology/chaco.html
New York State: - Five Points
Archaeologists and historians rediscover a famous nineteenth-century New
York neighborhood.
http://r2.gsa.gov/fivept/fphome.htm
State Archeology Weeks and Months
The Archeology and Ethnography Program supports public outreach and public
education about archaeology including State Archaeology Weeks and Months.
http://www.cr.nps.gov/aad/statearc.htm
Archaeology Field School at Fort
Vancouver
Archaeology Field School, June 25 - August 10, 2002 Portland State
University and the National Park Service are holding the 2nd annual summer
archaeology field school at the Vancouver National Historic Reserve.
http://www.nps.gov/fova/fieldschool.htm
Archaeology in Italy
Rome Reborn:The
Vatican Library & Renaissance Culture
Rome's Ruins Between 1450 and 1600 ancient Rome began to emerge from beneath the
shapeless pastures and deserted hills of the ancient city.
http://lcweb.loc.gov/exhibits/vatican/arch.html
SMITHSONIAN SITES
Encyclopedia Smithsonian: Natural History
Smithsonian Information on Anthropology, Archaeology, Egyptian, Evolution,
Biodiviersity, Rainforests, Conservation, Environment, Ecology, Botany, Plants,
Gardens, Insects, Squids, Dinosaurs, Entomology, Geology, Hope Diamond,
Volcanoes, Zoology, Ma
http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmnh/start.htm
Encyclopedia Smithsonian: Anthropology and
Archaeology
Smithsonian Information on Anthropology, Archaeology, Egyptian, Evolution,
Biodiviersity, Rainforests, Conservation, Environment, Ecology, Botany, Plants,
Gardens, Insects, Squids, Dinosaurs, Entomology, Geology, Hope Diamond,
Volcanoes, Zoology, Ma
http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmnh/anthropology.htm
Encyclopedia
Smithsonian: Egyptian Mummies
Encyclopedia Smithsonian on Egyptian Mummies, mummification, archaeology,
artifacts, funerary arts
http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmnh/mummies.htm
OTHER GOVERNMENT SITES OF INTEREST
Teaching Archaeology: ERIC Digest
How could hand-chipped stones, ancient ruins, old broken dishes, and antiquated
garbage help students learn about the world and themselves? Within archaeology,
these seemingly irrelevant items can enlighten students about the world around
them through science, culture, and history. By using archaeology in the
classroom, educators can lead students on learning adventures while engaging
them in thinking about life in the past and who we are as humans today. This
Digest discusses (1) the discipline of archaeology, (2) archaeology in the
classroom, and (3) resources for teaching archaeology.
http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed440920.html
Bureau of
Reclamation - Cultural Resources Management
The Department of the Interior's clearinghouse for information on Cultural
Resource Management programs.
http://www.usbr.gov/cultural/
Users guide to Section 106
This is the legislation which covers the management of historical properties under the National Historic Preservation Act.
http://www.achp.gov/usersguide.html
The Antiquities Act of 1906
Learn about the struggle to protect America's archeology in Ron Lee's history of The Antiquities Act of 1906. Discover the historical and modern importance of this law through a set of articles in CRM (the Park Service's publication on Cultural Resources Management)
http://www.cr.nps.gov/aad/pubs/INDEX.HTM
National Science Foundation - Grants in Archaeology
The Archaeology
Program provides support for anthropologically relevant archaeological research
at both a "senior" and doctoral dissertation level. It also funds
anthropologically significant archaeometric research high risk exploratory
research projects.
http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/bcs/arch/start.htm