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Evidence
'Evidence' means very much the same in archaeology as it does in any other detective-style investigation. It can be
anything which can help us to understand a series of events in the area we are studying, in our case connected to
the past human presence.
Usually evidence in archaeology means structures, deposits and artefacts, together with their dating and the
results of any scientific investigations carried out on them. The evidence - whether it is wood, stone or brick
used in walls; flint or pottery used in artefacts, human remains in burials, or domestic refuse from rubbish
('midden') deposits - can tell us about peoples' lives there in the past.
We can use this information to build an interpretation of the function or functions of the site. Settlement,
warfare, agricultural, ritual or industrial activity (in some cases all of these) can be suggested on the basis of
the evidence. It is one of the exciting aspects of archaeology that the evidence is rarely one hundred per cent
conclusive, allowing conflicting interpretations to be ventured.
Archaeologists and scientists are discovering new types of evidence all the time. For example, microscopic DNA
molecules - allowing genetic studies of humans, animals and plants - are now able to give us information that was
beyond our reach only a few years ago. Site sampling and recording techniques are being refined constantly to cope
with these new demands.
Learn more about Environmental, Reconstructions,
Identifying Structures, Chronology, Artefacts,
Interpretations, or return to Post-Ex.
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