Archaeology Terms

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Instructions: Excavation and artifact terminology

1.
What is an 'artifact' in archaeology?
A
An object made or modified by humans
B
A layer of soil
C
A natural rock formation
D
A type of fossil
2.
What does 'stratigraphy' study in archaeology?
A
Ancient languages
B
Ancient trade routes
C
Prehistoric animal bones
D
The layers of soil and rock at an excavation site
3.
What is a 'dig site' more formally called in archaeology?
A
A survey
B
A repository
C
An excavation
D
A quarry
4.
What is 'carbon dating' used for?
A
Measuring the weight of artifacts
B
Mapping underground structures
C
Determining the age of organic materials
D
Analyzing the chemical composition of metals
5.
What is a 'shard' or 'sherd' in archaeology?
A
A type of ancient weapon
B
A fossilized bone fragment
C
A broken piece of pottery
D
A stone tool
6.
What does 'in situ' mean when archaeologists use the term?
A
In its original place or position
B
In a museum display
C
Under water
D
In the laboratory
7.
What is a 'midden' in archaeology?
A
An ancient refuse heap or dump
B
A stone circle
C
A burial chamber
D
A clay tablet
8.
What is a 'petroglyph'?
A
A stone used for grinding grain
B
A fossilized tree
C
A type of ancient pottery
D
A rock carving made by prehistoric people
9.
What does 'Neolithic' mean?
A
Old Stone Age
B
New Stone Age
C
Bronze Age
D
Iron Age
10.
What is a 'tumulus' in archaeology?
A
An ancient writing system
B
A mound of earth over a burial site
C
A prehistoric fishing tool
D
A type of Roman road
11.
What does 'provenance' mean in archaeology?
A
The age of an artifact
B
The purpose of an ancient tool
C
The documented history of an artifact's origin and ownership
D
The material an artifact is made from
12.
What is a 'megalith'?
A
A large stone used to build a prehistoric structure
B
An ancient metal coin
C
A small decorative bead
D
A type of cave painting
13.
What is 'dendrochronology'?
A
The study of ancient teeth
B
The study of ancient DNA
C
Dating objects by analyzing tree ring patterns
D
The classification of dinosaur species
14.
What is a 'cairn'?
A
An ancient irrigation canal
B
A man-made pile of stones, often marking a burial or trail
C
A type of prehistoric pottery kiln
D
A carved stone pillar
15.
What does 'Paleolithic' refer to?
A
The Bronze Age
B
The New Stone Age
C
The Old Stone Age
D
The Middle Ages

Answer Key

Question 1

A. An object made or modified by humans

Question 2

D. The layers of soil and rock at an excavation site

Question 3

C. An excavation

Question 4

C. Determining the age of organic materials

Question 5

C. A broken piece of pottery

Question 6

A. In its original place or position

Question 7

A. An ancient refuse heap or dump

Question 8

D. A rock carving made by prehistoric people

Question 9

B. New Stone Age

Question 10

B. A mound of earth over a burial site

Question 11

C. The documented history of an artifact's origin and ownership

Question 12

A. A large stone used to build a prehistoric structure

Question 13

C. Dating objects by analyzing tree ring patterns

Question 14

B. A man-made pile of stones, often marking a burial or trail

Question 15

C. The Old Stone Age

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