Why archaeology matters

Archaeology is not just about searching and excavating out artefacts. It’s not about finding valuable things for the sake of it. Archaeology can teach us  way more than what you think.

On 7 March 2023, I was fortunate enough to experience a mini archaeology dig  with my classmates, facilitated by Mr Floresca. I wasn’t too certain about what the activity was going to be about. But all I knew was that it was going to be a great experience and opportunity for me to learn something new.

The moment I walked into the room, I saw two, medium sized sandpits. One that was empty and one that was filled with sand, along with a peculiar looking ring that stuck out through the top layer.  I then wondered to myself, “Two large sandpits? What is that bizarre looking ring on the sand? Why are these needed for a history lesson?”.  These three things really made me ponder and contemplate on our activity. 

The objective of this archaeological dig was to explain to us how archaeologists find these artefacts through surveying and gridding, then engaging in analysis to reveal what they tell us about the past and their usefulness in the present and the future. Armed with curiosity, I took this opportunity to expand my knowledge of the many different components of archaeological excavation, including the tools that archaeologists use. For instance, a trowel, a sieve, and brushes of various sizes used for dusting off excess dirt. 

This archaeological dig really helped me to understand how crucial archaeology is in helping us to understand what life was like before the current time period. It gives us valuable a chance to appreciate how far we have come and how we humans have evolved over time. Archaeology opens a giant window for us to gaze into the past. It gives us a vast array of opportunities to look to our ancestors to if they have brilliant ideas that can help us evolve even more - both mentally and technology-wise.

Overall, the dig was a great experience that me many different and new things. I got to understand how important it is to not just find artefacts and but also how to my own contextual knowledge and logic to piece together its story to determine its value. We should all engage in the study of archaeology because it tells us so much about story as human beings. And if we use it right, it has the potential to give us a chance to look into something that we’ve never seen before. Archaeology and its artefacts are not always about the past. If we know where to look, archaeology can tell us about the present and future.

Brooklyn Touche

Year 7