Artifacts, Ecofacts, Features, and Sites: A Lesson in Archaeological Jargon

Going through a museum, it is easy for me to get lost in excitement and wonder over the amazing archaeological displays. Every time I visit an exhibit, I find myself glimpsing into the worlds of the Inca, the Olmec, or the ancient Hindus in Southeast Asia by standing face to face with items that outdate me by thousands of years. Likewise, when I visit an archaeological site, like the Pecos ruins in New Mexico, I am in awe of the history, the creativity, and the cultural significance that surrounds me.

Surely, I am not alone in this feeling of wonderment. It is human nature to be curious about humankind’s past, have an interest in exploring cultures different from our own, and see what previous generations were like and what they left behind.

But what are we looking at when we see these archaeological displays of grandeur either within the halls of museums or out in the natural world? To my surprise, when I first began to study the field of archaeology, I learned that there are classifications for findings. These classifications – artifacts, ecofacts, features, and sites – can help us understand what we are looking at and apply context that enriches the experience of observing archaeological findings. Through this blog, OKPAN offers a break down and explanation for these terms so that the next time you are marveling at an archaeological find, you will be able to classify what you are observing!

Artifacts

“Artifacts” is the archaeological term most recognized by the general public. The word is freely tossed around in pop-culture references and conversation. But what qualifies an object as an artifact? An artifact is any portable object that was made or modified by humans and is at least 50 years old. Examples of artifacts would include stone projectile points, pottery, carvings, bone, and much more! Equally important as classifying an artifact is asking the right questions about it. According to the Smithsonian Institute, there are five suggested ways to think about an artifact:

Artifacts tell their own stories.

Artifacts connect people.

Artifacts mean many things.

Artifacts capture moments.

Artifacts reflect changes.

The next time you find yourself looking at artifacts in a museum or in the field, keep these points in mind and think about artifacts in a new way!

 Ecofacts

Ecofacts, like artifacts, are portable findings. However, an ecofact is defined as a natural object, like bone and plant remains, that assist archaeologists in grasping a deeper context for the environment and habits of the people who lived there. To distinguish an ecofact from an artifact, ask yourself if the object was modified by humans, or if it is in a natural state. For example, consider bison bone. If a bison bone  found in an archaeological context is unmodified, it is an ecofact. However, if the bone, such as a shoulder blade, was modified by humans for use as a gardening hoe, then the bone is instead an artifact!

 Features

Features are different from artifacts, because unlike items such as spear points or potsherds, features cannot be transported or moved. Some examples of features would be Puebloan kivas, hearths, or post molds – places where house posts once stood. Features are still clearly modified by humans, but their ability to be transported for analysis is the key difference. Features often contain artifacts, ranging from ceremonial objects, spear points, ancient household objects, and many more!

Sites

 Finally, there are archaeological sites. Unlike artifacts, ecofacts, and features, sites are not individual items. Sites are an archaeological conglomeration of artifacts, ecofacts, and features. A site is the location of archaeological findings, and examples include cemeteries, villages, cliff dwellings, and much more! Some North American sites like Cahokia or Chichen Itza are easily visible today, but most are buried deep within the ground. Archaeologists diligently survey the land to locate these buried sites, and when one is found, it’s time for the fun part – excavation!

Understanding the key classifications amongst archaeological findings is an important tool in analysis. In Oklahoma, examples of artifacts and ecofacts can be found at the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, in Norman, the Museum of the Great Planes in Lawton, and many other institutions. If features and sites are of interest to you, plan a visit to the Spiro Mound site, which is the only prehistoric site in Oklahoma open to the public.

Source: https://okpublicarchaeology.wordpress.com/2017/08/23/artifacts-ecofacts-features-and-sites-a-lesson-in-archaeological-jargon/ 

Ký hiệu AD, BC, CE và BCE, BP nghĩa là gì khi đi kèm năm thời gian

AD and BC

You sometimes see years written with AD or BC, like this:

2000 AD

450 BC

What does it mean?

AD is AFTER Jesus Christ was born.

BC is BEFORE Jesus Christ was born.

AD stands for the Latin Anno Domini meaning “In the year of Our Lord”.

BC stands for Before Christ.

BC is always written after the year. AD may be written before the year or (modern style) after the year. If a year is shown without AD or BC, it is usually AD.

This practice was first suggested in the sixth century A.D., and was adopted by the pope of that time. It took quite a while for it to become a worldwide standard, however. Russia and Turkey, for example, did not convert to the modern calendar and year scheme until the 20th century.

AD and BC

Here are some examples going back in time:

The Second World War ended in 1945.

The Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582 AD.

Vesuvius erupted in AD 79 and Pompeii was buried under ash.

Jesus Christ was thought to have been born in AD 1.

But he was probably born a few years earlier, around 5 BC.

Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC.

In 71 BC Spartacus was defeated by the Romans.

Rome was founded in 753 BC.

The Great Pyramid was completed in Egypt more than 4,500 years ago, around 2566 BC.

Evidence of the creation and use of pottery earlier than 17,000 BC has been found in China.

CE and BCE

You sometimes see CE and BCE instead of AD and BC. They are relatively new terms that mean the same as AD and BC.

CE stands for “Common Era” and is the same as AD.

BCE stands for “Before Common Era” and is the same as BC.

Look at these examples:

Genghis Khan died in 1227 CE. [same as 1227 AD]

Rome was founded in 753 BCE. [same as 753 BC]

Lưu ý:

Việc đưa ra ý tưởng dùng CE và BCE thay thế cho AD và BC là xuất phát từ những người không theo Cơ đốc giáo (non-Christians). Đây là chủ để được tranh cãi rất gay gắt giữa các nhóm tôn giáo với nhau và cả với nhóm phi tôn giáo.  Cũng không có gì là lạ. Các vấn đề liên quan tới tôn giáo (và đi kèm theo đó là ảnh hưởng của nó trên toàn cầu) luôn diễn ra rất “khốc liệt”, không chỉ trước đây mà ngay bây giờ cũng vẫn thế, không khá hơn tý nào. Xem thêm ở đây.

Vì vậy, tốt nhất là cứ giả vờ không biết mà dùng AD và BC cho lành.

BP

“BP – Before Present” means before 1950. The most commonly used convention in radiocarbon dating. “Present” referring to the year 1950 AD. 1950 is the date that the calibration curves were established. It also predates atmospheric testing of the atom bomb, which significantly upset C12/C14 ratios in the following years.

Example: If a radiocarbon lab reports an age of 13000 years BP, they are implying that the fossil would have died 13000 years before 1950 AD.

Source: https://kungfutienganh.com/2016/04/20/ky-hieu-ad-bc-ce-va-bce-bp-nghia-la-gi-khi-di-kem-nam-thoi-gian/