Introduction to archeology
The word archaeology is derived from Ancient Greek: arkhaiología, “antiquarian lore, ancient legends, history”, from arkhaîos, “primal, old, ancient” + lógos, “speech, oration, study”. It refers to knowledge of human prehistory, which is the time before recorded history. Archaeology is the study of human material culture, of remains and objects or artefacts.
Other archaeological disciplines include historical archaeology and medieval archaeology, which study the material culture of historical-period societies. Normally, the field is divided into the following subdisciplines: historical archaeology (after the invention of writing), prehistoric archaeology (before recorded history), classical archaeology (Ancient Greece and Rome), Egyptology (Ancient Egypt), Assyriology (pre-Islamic Near East), Islamic Archaeology (Islamic Near East), and historical osteology.
Archaeology became a separate university subject in the 19th century. In 1818, Caspar Reuvens became the world’s first archaeology professor at the Leiden University in the Netherlands. The first archaeological thesis in Sweden is usually considered to be Hans Hildebrand’s from 1866, followed by Oscar Montelius in 1869. In 1914, the first professorship in archaeology in Sweden was established at Uppsala University, with Oscar Almgren becoming the first to serve in the post. This was soon followed by a professorship at Lund University in 1919, to which Otto Rydbeck was appointed.
Archaeology is the study of human activity and society across long periods of time – from the Stone Age to the modern era. The traces left by people in the form of ancient and cultural remains are an important part of our shared cultural heritage.
The Swedish Antiquities Act is the oldest in the world and was established as early as 1666. The kings of the time wanted to prove that Sweden had been a great country for a very long time. For this reason, vicars across the country were urged to make a record of any material remains in their local area. The work of the vicars laid the foundation for our current knowledge of Sweden’s archaeological record.
Over the centuries, prehistoric objects have been unearthed as a result of agriculture. Many of the finds were submitted to museums, and archaeologists were subsequently able to determine temporal connections between the different objects. Based on the different finds, prehistory could be ordered into broad functional periods: the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. The order partly reflected the materials used to make objects during the three time periods.
By around 1960, the radiocarbon dating (carbon-14 dating) method had become commonplace. Prior to this, archaeological remains had been dated based on different object types, but this new method provided archaeologists with the means for safer, more precise dating of material remains. Carbon-14 dating is used today together with an array of other scientific methods to attempt to provide answers to how prehistoric peoples lived.
Present-day archaeology is a part of land development. In connection with land exploitation and construction projects, several archaeological surveys and investigations are carried out annually in Västerbotten. Each investigation contributes to greater knowledge of the prehistory of the county.
An archaeologist is a person who studies the material culture of humans, i.e. material remains and objects that people have left behind throughout history. By means of surveys and excavations, archaeologists obtain knowledge of our prehistory. To become an archaeologist, a university degree is required. Archaeologists can work in museums, on county administrative boards or can be self-employed.
Archaeology is usually associated with humanity’s ancient history and preliterate societies. The Middle Ages (c. 1050-1500 CE) are usually considered the period when events began to be recorded in writing. Archaeologists can also study younger periods (from around the 16th century and onwards), for which excavations are used to complement the attested history.
The traces that people leave behind can take myriad forms. Some remains can be seen above ground e.g. burial cairns or trapping pits. Other remains only become visible once the top ground layer has been removed using excavating machinery. Soil colourations, which are different from the natural soil, then become visible. The colourations may indicate traces of features such as post-holes, hearths, or cooking pits. During an archaeological investigation, archaeologists may also find fragments of objects as well as debris and household waste.
Archaeologists attempt to interpret the different remains in order to understand how humans once lived. To help them, archaeologists employ a wide range of analysis methods, which are continuously being improved and further developed. As a result, archaeological material can never be considered to be exhaustively studied. There are always new questions that can be asked of the material and new analysis methods that can be implemented.
An archaeologist’s role does not just involve investigating and documenting archaeological remains. Archaeologists also work to disseminate knowledge of the people who lived long before us. Talking about ancient peoples and spreading knowledge about our shared cultural heritage is an important duty of archaeologists.
Most archaeological investigations in Sweden are carried out in conjunction with various exploitation activities. When building new roads, railways and residential areas, it is sometimes necessary for the area to be surveyed by archaeologists. In Sweden, the county administrative boards determine whether an archaeological excavation is needed. Decisions are made based on the Swedish Historic Environment Act, which prohibits the interference or destruction of archaeological remains without permission.
