History of archaeology

The history of archaeology has been one of increasing professionalisation, and the use of an increasing range of technqiues, to obtain as much data on the site being examined as possible.

Introduction of technology

Undoubtedly the major technological development in 20th century archaeology was the introduction of radiocarbon dating, based on a theory first developed by American scientist Willard Libby in 1949. Despite its many limitations (compared to later methods it is inaccurate; it can only be used on organic matter; it is reliant on a dataset to corroborate it; and it only works with remains from the last 10,000 years), the technique brought about a revolution in archaeological understanding. For the first time, it was possible to put reasonably accurate dates on discoveries such as bones. This in some cases led to a complete reassessment of the significance of past finds. Classic cases included the Red Lady of Paviland. It was not until 1989 that the Catholic church allowed the technique to be used on the Turin Shroud, indicating that the linen fibres were of mediaeval origin.

Related Topics:
Radiocarbon dating - Willard Libby - 1949 - Red Lady of Paviland - 1989 - Turin Shroud

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Other developments, often spin-offs from wartime technology, led to other scientific advances. For field archaeologists, the most significant of these was the introduction of the geophysical survey, enabling an advance picture to be built up of what lies beneath the soil, before excavation even commences. The entire Roman city of Viroconium, modern day Wroxeter, has been surveyed by these methods, though only a small portion has actually been excavated.

Related Topics:
Geophysical survey - Viroconium - Wroxeter

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