Archaeology: the science of investigation - for iPad/Mac/PC: Recent Episodes
The Open University
Archaeology is about reconstructing the physical past to obtain an understanding of how different civilisations and cultures have evolved over time. In this album, archaeologists from the British Museum explain the scientific processes involved in the discovery, investigation and interpretation of a variety of artefacts, such as skeletons, coins, textiles and metal artefacts unearthed at sites such as the famous Iron Age burial at Sutton Hoo, and Tell es-Sa'idiyeh in Jordan. The album also reveals how amateur archaeologists who use metal detectors contribute to creating a picture of ancient societies. This material forms part of The Open University course SA188 Archaeology: the science of investigation.
Transcript -- The first attempt to bring cultures of the world together under one roof.
Transcript -- The practical approach to the exacavation of Tell es-Sa'idiyeh, Jordan in 1989.
Transcript -- An archaeologist explains the probable reasons for settlement at Tell es-Sa'idiyeh.
Transcript -- The discovery of an Iron Age burial in Yorkshire - complete with chariot.
A British Museum archaeologist describes her 120,000 year-old discovery in Krapina, Croatia.
Transcript -- A British Museum archaeologist describes her 120,000 year-old discovery in Krapina, Croatia.
Transcript -- A Tell es-Sa'idiyeh conservator explains the initial approach to preserving artefacts.
Transcript -- A conservator explains how careful handling is required when cleaning artefacts.
The importance of modern technology in the preservation of an artefact from an Iron Age burial at Sutton Hoo.
Transcript -- The importance of modern technology in the preservation of an artefact from an Iron Age burial at Sutton Hoo.
The success of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which allows the mapping of coin finds by metal detector users and helps to build a more accurate picture of ancient Britain.
Transcript -- The success of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which allows the mapping of coin finds by metal detector users and helps to build a more accurate picture of ancient Britain.