Why do we dig in the ground? George (5)

Hi George,

Archaeologists dig in the ground to find evidence of the historical and prehistorical past.

The prehistoric period is so named because it all happened before people started to write down what they and others did. The only evidence that we have of how people lived in prehistory has come from the excavation of archaeological sites. From such excavations we can learn about the animals and plants that prehistoric people used, and how they structured their settlements, farms and activities through the year. We also can learn a little bit about their beliefs from examining their ritual monuments (stone circles, henges etc) and how they treated their dead.

When people started to write things down (after the Roman invasion in Britain), most histories tell us about the great deeds of the early kingdoms and the Roman Church. Digging in the ground tells us more about ordinary people and about how they lived rather than the lives of Kings and Queens, Lords and Ladies and the Bishops and clergy.

Hope that helps.

Keep digging!

Phil