Introduction to Archaeology and Ethics

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Introduction to Archaeology and Ethics

• By
• Ms. Hesson

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What is Archaeology?

• The study of historic and prehistoric peoples
  and their cultures by looking at artifacts

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What is an Artifact?

• Any object made by humans such as a tool or the
  remains of one such as a pottery sherd

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Artifact Ethics

• Our nations archaeological sites are being
  destroyed and plundered
• Scientific information is being destroyed
• Native Americans lose an important part of their
  heritage
• Large quantities of human remains, pottery rock
  art, and sites of habitation are being lost and
  important links to the past gone forever
• It is important to protect archaeological sites
  and artifacts

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Examples showing destruction of artifacts

• Larsen Cave near Prairie du Chien

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Red arm with nearby damage
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Larsen Cave, red bird with recent damage
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Larsen Cave, looters pit
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Looters pit
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More destruction in Iowa County, WI

• The Damage is irreversible!

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Gottschall vandalism
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Once the past is destroyed, early cultures can no
longer be accurately dated and studied.
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Act now to save the links to our past.
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As a follow up to the PowerPoint presentation, I
will have my students make a brochure to be put
into visitor stops on the bike trail in our
communities. The brochure will feature how and
why to protect sites.