The Archaeologist

Question 1

Explain the term excavation

Answer 1

When archaeologists dig up the ground to find evidence left by people in the past

Question 2

Define the term aerial photograph

Answer 2

A photograph taken of the ground taken by a helicopter or a drone

Question 3

List three ways that evidence can be preserved

Answer 3

1 being buried in an air tight container
2 being completely covered in volcanic ash
3 being left in a peat bog

Question 4

Name 3 tools used by an archaeologist

Answer 4

1 shovels
2 brushes
3 sieves

Question 5

Explain the term radiocarbon dating

Answer 5

A method of dating based on the falling levels of carbon-14 in tissue over time

Question 6

In what period of history did the first people come to Ireland?

Answer 6

The Stone Age

Question 7

What were hunter gatherers?

Answer 7

Someone who hunted animals for food and gathered berries and nuts

Question 8

Explain the terms geophysical survey and pollen analysis.

Answer 8

Geophysical survey is a survey of what’s underneath the ground, like an x-ray of the ground.
Pollen analysis is a study of pollen remains to find out what was growing at a site during a particular time period

Question 9

Name the three Stone Age periods

Answer 9

1 Palaeolithic
2 Mesolithic
3 Neolithic

Question 10

Explain the term stratigraphy

Answer 10

A method of dating artefacts and evidence by how deep in the ground they were when found

Question 11

Explain the term dendrochronology

Answer 11

A method of dating that uses the unique growth patterns of tree rings as a guide

Question 12

Name 3 things archaeologists can learn from studying the bones of a skeleton

Answer 12

1 whether the person was male or female
2 the height of the person
3 what disease they had

Question 13

Explain the term conservation

Answer 13

When historic objects are protected and preserved so they do not decay

Question 14

Give 3 examples of things that might undergo conservation

Answer 14

1 maps
2 photos
3 historic buildings