Digging In Your Own Backyard - Page: 2
Almost everyone has begun turning a flower bed or started a new garden only to end up with a little piece of history in their shovel. If you already have an enthusiasm for archaeology, the temptation to begin digging in your own backyard may be irrestible. However, there are things you should consider before you begin your own excavation.
"What you will find depends greatly on where you live," said Dr. Barbara Thiel, a professor of Anthropology at Northern Kentucky University who also specializes in Southeast Asian and North American archaeology, physical anthropology, field and lab methods and archaeological theory. " In most cases there is nothing in your backyard."
When Dr. Thiel says there is "nothing in your backyard", she means you are not likely to make an historic archaeological discovery in the middle of suburban Detroit. Most people will find only small and insignificant items, like broken pieces of pottery, animal bones and arrowheads, lurking among the lupines and the lettuce.
If you do find something that you feel looks unusual or different and you are not sure what it is, Dr. Thiel recommends you contact a professional who will know how to deal properly with the material. Dr. Thiel's biggest concern is that amateurs who excavate historic material on their own are not going to analyze and catalog it properly and they may even unintentionally destroy an important site.
"Amateurs don't know how to excavate," said Dr. Thiel. "Not only are they not going to analyze it properly, they are probably not going to analyze it at all."
Experts seem to agree that if you have no training, you should not attempt to excavate anything for fear of destroying the site. However, for those of you turning up potsherds in your shovels, don't be discouraged.
Since most backyard finds are not the beginnings of significant sites, you are usually OK to save the pieces for your own personal collection. You may be surprised what you will find. My backyard collection includes many old bottles, pieces of broken crockery, a couple of arrowheads and my most prized find, a rusty old stirrup. Not King Tut's tomb, but interesting none the less. As an amateur archaeologist, I would deduce that my garden probably sits on or near the site of an old homestead.
If you are finding similar things in your backyard, there are many books you can look at to help you identify arrowheads and put the pieces of your garden archaeology puzzle together.
A short search on Amazon.com will give you multiple choices, for example:
or
Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice by Colin Renfrew and Paul G. Bahn
In the meantime, if you happen to find something of interest in your own backyard, your best bet will be to contact a professional archaeologist to help you uncover the find properly. There are many places you can contact an archaeologist about your latest find. Try a local university, college, or museum to start with. If you don't happen to be close to a big city, give a call to your state historic preservation office in your state capital.
For further archaeological research on the web you may want to visit these sites:
The Backyard Archaeologist
This site's actual home leaves much to be desired, but the links will definitely take you places.
Heritage Council Victoria - "What to do if you uncover an artefact in your backyard."
A British site, but basic information should be relevant to everyone.
If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Barbara Thiel and her research, you can go look at the link below.
NKU's Anthropology and Archaeology Faculty Page
Until next time!
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