Archaeology and history are complementary disciplines that investigate the human past.Both study the past.But they differ in sources,methods,goals,scales of evidence and also interpretation.

Meaning and Defination

Archaeology examines human past through material remains.it focuses on objects the artifacts and ecofacts left behind by people.These includes tools,flakes, inscriptions,pottery,bones, buildings and coins.On the other hand history explains past events based on written records, instituions.It focuses on kings,wars, societies,political ideas and changes .

Study Sources

In archaeology we study material things ,physical evidence or remains people used,made,modified(building,tools,ceramics,bones, landscapes modifications,waste the artifacts,ecofacts through excavations and explorations.In archaeology even broken objects are valuable for reconstruction the past.Historians use written records like manuscripts, chronicles and documents,letter and diaries and official records are very important to discover.

Methods of Study Archaeology and History

Archaeologists conduct fieldwork.Before excavate that particular place they explore that place carefully then they excavate carefully with proper knowledge.They document soil layers they read the place scientifically with the help of Carbon Dating,GIS,Remote Sensing.Historians read, analyze and interpret texts and textual criticism.They study languages as well.Also dates and context.

Temporal Resolutions and Coverage

Archaeology covers both literate and non-literate societies and deep prehistory,temporal precision varies by dating method and stratigraphic control.History covers high chronological precision when document exist,it focuses on literate societies and time periods with record keeping.

Collaboration and Interdisciplinarity

Archaeology inherently a interdisciplinary subject it includes -zooarchaeology, archaeobotany, paleontology,geology, history,geoarchaeology, geophysics, geochemistry, bioarchaeology, anthropology,earth science, climatology for reacher reconstruction.On the contrary history interacts with literary studies, philosophy,political science, economics, sociology and so on.

Nature and Evidence

The nature and evidence of archaeology is physical,raw and direct.The nature and evidence of history is descriptive. It often shows the biasness of writer.

Roles

Archeology fills the gaps where texts are missing.It challenges and also expand the historical knowledge.Where history explains events,ideas.It emphasizes narratives.

Conclusion

At last we can say archeology and history are interconnected and intertwined.They study past from different angles.They complete each other.So as we know present is the key to past.

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