Conservation is when historic objects are protected and preserved so that they do not decay. Objects found by archaeologists can be displayed under the correct conditions in museums and heritage sites. Documents, maps, photographs and so forth can be safely stored in places such as archives and libraries. Historic buildings are also looked after and restored when necessary, so that they will stay in good condition. Conserving the past benefi ts us, as we can continue to learn about and engage with our history.
CHECKPOINT!
1. Draw a timeline to represent the following periods in Irish history in chronological order: the Iron Age; the Neolithic era; the Mesolithic era; the Bronze Age.
2. Name three things archaeologists can learn from studying the bones of a skeleton. 3. Defi ne the term conservation in your own words. 4. Give three examples of things that might undergo conservation.
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I know the main skills and methods used by archaeologists and what it means to conserve the past.
TIME TO GO BACK I CAN MOVE FORWARD
Finding evidence on a dig
WORKING WITH THE EVIDENCE! —————————————
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Study these photographs of an archaeologist working on an excavation and their tools, then answer the following questions.
1. What type of source is a photograph? 2. What steps can you see being carried out? 3. What tools can you identify in the picture below? 4. Name one possible problem when excavating a site.
5. If this archaeologist fi nds artefacts, what should they do with them?
6. Name two methods of dating that this archaeologist might use and explain why you’ve chosen them.
COLLABORATE: Work together in small groups to make a list of facts about each of the archaeological sites and examples discussed in topic 2.3.
