Archaeology 101

Sometime around 10,000 B.C. the last great Ice Age came to an end. As the ice retreated, it left behind fertile lands and abundant plant life, which attracted both animals and humans.

From that time to this, an unfolding story of life has played out across our valley, our state, our region.

A lot can happen in 12,000 years, says assistant state archaeologist Ron Rood.

Sometimes we take that history for granted. But the study of earlier cultures can be important to our own, says Rood. "The more we learn about earlier cultures, the more we learn about their successes and failures, and, in turn, we find lessons for us."

That's the reasoning behind Utah Prehistory Week, which will be celebrated May 3-10, with a variety of activities going on statewide to call attention to the importance of archaeology and early human history.

This year Prehistory Week is also noting its 20th anniversary, says Rood. "It was started 20 years ago as Utah Archaeology Week. A lot of states started similar things to increase public awareness."

In connection with that anniversary, this year's celebration also includes an art show with photographs, sculptures, ceramics and more inspired by Utah's archaeological and paleontological past.

An open house at the Utah State History building on Saturday, will also feature atlatls and spears, archaeology lab tours, corn-grinding and other activities for both kids and adults. (Tours of Danger Cave and Juke Box Cave in the western desert will also take place, but they have already been filled for this year.)

Rood also recently conducted a one-day seminar on "The Archaeology of Utah," which covered some of the basics of the art and science of archaeology.

It is not a dead science, he says. In fact, "with all the development along the Wasatch Front, new discoveries are happening all the time."

So, in honor of Utah's 20th Annual Prehistory Week celebration, here's a crash course in archaeology — answers to some of the commonly asked questions about what went on before.

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Q: What is archaeology?

A: Archaeology is the study of human history and culture, based on documentation, analysis and interpretation of artifacts and sites.

It is NOT: simply digging and excavating sites, simply collecting artifacts, or much like Hollywood portrays it.

Q: How does archaeology fit in with other sciences?