Site Types in Archaeology
Although the best known archaeological sites are either temples or spectacular burials, archaeologists are interested in all kinds of behaviors exhibited by people in the past, not just the combination of wealth and religion. The variety of archaeological remains left by people in the past--no matter what their political or economic status--allows us to draw comparisons among the classes and gain a broader perspective on what human society was like in the past, and how that reverberates in our cultures today. Here are some of the classes of archaeological sites that are studied by archaeologists, identified by function, size, date, and assemblage of artifacts.
Astronomical Observatories
Buildings meant to track time have been constructed for some five thousand years. Here's a few of the important astronomical observatories around the world.
Buildings meant to track time have been constructed for some five thousand years. Here's a few of the important astronomical observatories around the world.
Barrow
A barrow is the archaeological term for a specific type of burial mound belonging to the Neolithic period structures in western Europe.
A barrow is the archaeological term for a specific type of burial mound belonging to the Neolithic period structures in western Europe.
Cairn
A cairn is, in essence, an intentionally-laid pile of rocks.
A cairn is, in essence, an intentionally-laid pile of rocks.
Causeways
A causeway is an early form of transportation system, consisting of a narrow, man-made earthen or rock structure that bridged a waterway.
A causeway is an early form of transportation system, consisting of a narrow, man-made earthen or rock structure that bridged a waterway.
Cave Art
Cave art refers to paintings, murals, drawings, etchings, carvings, and pecked artwork on the interior of rockshelters and caves.
Cave art refers to paintings, murals, drawings, etchings, carvings, and pecked artwork on the interior of rockshelters and caves.
Desert Castles
Desert castles are Islamic fortifications built during the earliest days of Islamic expansion, in the 8th century AD.
Desert castles are Islamic fortifications built during the earliest days of Islamic expansion, in the 8th century AD.
Deserted Medieval Villages
During the late Middle Ages, thousands of small villages were abandoned, as a result of the Black Death, or related causes; these are called Deserted Medieval Villages.
During the late Middle Ages, thousands of small villages were abandoned, as a result of the Black Death, or related causes; these are called Deserted Medieval Villages.
Earthlodge
An earthlodge is the name given by archaeologists to refer to a kind of permanent house, built of wattle and daub construction and covered over with sod.
An earthlodge is the name given by archaeologists to refer to a kind of permanent house, built of wattle and daub construction and covered over with sod.
Enclosed Settlements
Enclosed settlements are a type of archaeological site found around the world at different periods.
Enclosed settlements are a type of archaeological site found around the world at different periods.
Fish Weir
A fish weir or fish trap is a step forward in fishing technology, used in North America for the past several thousand years.
A fish weir or fish trap is a step forward in fishing technology, used in North America for the past several thousand years.
Henge or Stone Circle
A henge is the term given to a large prehistoric earthwork, usually but not always circular, whether of stones, wood, or earth.
A henge is the term given to a large prehistoric earthwork, usually but not always circular, whether of stones, wood, or earth.
Hill Forts
Hill forts in archaeology describe villages built with defensive structures such as enclosures, moats, or ramparts.
Hill forts in archaeology describe villages built with defensive structures such as enclosures, moats, or ramparts.
Hoards and Caches
"Hoards" or "caches" refer to collections of objects which were intentionally gathered together and buried underground.
"Hoards" or "caches" refer to collections of objects which were intentionally gathered together and buried underground.
Khirigsuur
A khirigsuur is a type of monument found on Bronze Age sites in Mongolia.
A khirigsuur is a type of monument found on Bronze Age sites in Mongolia.
Monumental Architecture
Monumental architecture, at an archaeological site, refers to large man-made structures of stone or earth.
Monumental architecture, at an archaeological site, refers to large man-made structures of stone or earth.
Mounds
Mounds are a type of monumental architecture built primarily of earth, although they do occasionally have stone or wood foundations.
Mounds are a type of monumental architecture built primarily of earth, although they do occasionally have stone or wood foundations.
Oppida
Oppida is the word given to the archaeological remains of fortified settlements throughout Europe by archaeologists, from a word used by Julius Caesar.
Oppida is the word given to the archaeological remains of fortified settlements throughout Europe by archaeologists, from a word used by Julius Caesar.
Pyramid
A pyramid is one of the earliest form of massive monumental architecture built by humans.
A pyramid is one of the earliest form of massive monumental architecture built by humans.
Quarrying Sites
A quarry or mine site is where raw material--stone or metal ore--was mined for use as building material or tool construction; and they are often mined for archaeological information as well.
A quarry or mine site is where raw material--stone or metal ore--was mined for use as building material or tool construction; and they are often mined for archaeological information as well.
Shell Middens
A shell midden is a type of archaeological site made almost entirely of mussel shells.
A shell midden is a type of archaeological site made almost entirely of mussel shells.
Sirikwa Holes
The term Sirikwa Holes is the local name for depressions found throughout the western highlands of Kenya and in northern Tanzania; they represent late Iron Age hut locations.
The term Sirikwa Holes is the local name for depressions found throughout the western highlands of Kenya and in northern Tanzania; they represent late Iron Age hut locations.
Statue-Menhirs
Statue-menhirs are a kind of megalithic standing stone consisting of a carved human or human-like statue of life or larger size.
Statue-menhirs are a kind of megalithic standing stone consisting of a carved human or human-like statue of life or larger size.
Synagogues
A synagogue is, of course, a religious structure that can be identified with the Jewish faith; the earliest synagogues probably developed during the Byzantine period of the 6th century BC.
A synagogue is, of course, a religious structure that can be identified with the Jewish faith; the earliest synagogues probably developed during the Byzantine period of the 6th century BC.
Temples and Shrines
Basically, archaeologists think of the word temple as meaning one of three kinds of shrines.
Basically, archaeologists think of the word temple as meaning one of three kinds of shrines.
Urnfield Cemetery
An urnfield cemetery, or jar burial, is a type of secondary burial that involves placing the cremated body of a deceased person into a large jar or urn, within a large defined cemetery area.
An urnfield cemetery, or jar burial, is a type of secondary burial that involves placing the cremated body of a deceased person into a large jar or urn, within a large defined cemetery area.
Vitrified Forts
There are, believe it or not, some 200 hillforts and other archaeological sites in the world which have been vitrified--exposed to heat so extreme that part of the buildings are converted to glass-like substances.
There are, believe it or not, some 200 hillforts and other archaeological sites in the world which have been vitrified--exposed to heat so extreme that part of the buildings are converted to glass-like substances.