Field of study
"All remains and other traces of the existence of humanity, including the context in which they are situated, including the preservation and study, including excavations or discoveries, constitute elements of archaeological heritage, trace the development of human history and its relationship to the natural environment. ' Art. L.510-1 of the Heritage Code.
Thearchaeology is a science that aims to restore the history and environment of the people of the past from the remains buried underground, under water or visible in elevation.
The aim of archaeological research is to answer a historical question about a given period, territory, theme or natural environment.
Chronological field
Archaeology studies successive human occupations and their natural environment. The chronological field of archaeology extends from the appearance of man to the present day.
Thematic field
The first archaeologists were mainly interested in dating and chronology of the remains in order to characterize and compare the different civilizations to understand the successive stages of human evolution.
Archaeological research has now broadened its scope of study to include all the actions of everyday life but also to the environmental, economic and cultural contexts of societies of the past.
Archaeologists are interested in all the remains - traces, structures, objects - likely to document the human activities of the past: lifestyle, funeral practices, beliefs, techniques, exchanges and trade...