A feature at the Bliss Hill Site
A feature at the Bliss Hill Site
Archaeologists usually work in teams with other archaeologists or with archaeology students. Many archaeologists are employed by a university or a museum. An archaeologist is like a detective, in the sense that they both investigate clues to look for answers to problems. An archaeologist looks for clues to learn how past cultures lived, so that we can understand more about how present peoples live and adapt to the environment.
Archaeologists work at a dig site to gather data, and then spend the majority of their time in a lab analyzing this data. They eventually write reports on their findings for other people to read about and learn from. The type of work an archaeologist does requires a lot of patience and perseverance, and isn't quite as exciting as the "Indiana Jones" movies make it seem! Depending upon where they are located, some dig sites may be extremely hot and not have any running water (or bathrooms) nearby!
The Bliss Hill Site got very hot!
Most archaeologists are willing to tolerate these conditions because they know that their work can lead to new theories about past humans and how they lived.
How are sites found?