Category Archives: Archaeologist

Archaeologist

Archaeology: Examining Its Past and the Future

What is Archaeology? Simply, archaeology is the study of people in the past, their activities and actions, cultural practices, tools and technological development, and in some cases (where possible) their superstitious and religious practices, expression of their cultural identity and other beliefs about themselves or the world around them (1). It mostly looks at material…
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Cultural Resources 101: Part of the Federal Environmental Process

The federal environmental process includes a myriad of individual subjects but there are five big players.  These are cultural resources, biology/ecology, hazardous materials, public outreach/involvement and permitting.  Cultural resources are relevant for every single federal project that must go through the environmental process.  The field encompasses archaeology (prehistoric and historic), historic architecture and Native American…
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What Environmental Data Tells Us About Greenland’s Viking Collapse

Environmental data—including pollen analysis, ice core isotopes, and soil studies—reveals that Greenland's Norse colonies persisted for several centuries during and after the Medieval Warm Period but collapsed rapidly as conditions cooled in the early 14th century. Limited adaptation to changing conditions and cultural pressures to maintain European farming traditions increased vulnerability when temperatures dropped, illustrating…
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Dendrochronology: How Tree Rings Reveal Environmental History

Dendrochronology is the scientific analysis of tree-ring patterns to date wood samples and reconstruct past environmental conditions. Students from archaeology, climate science, chemistry, and forestry use dendrochronology in their research. Tree rings reflect annual growth influenced by climate, enabling scientists to date artifacts, calibrate radiocarbon testing, and study historical climate patterns spanning thousands of years.…
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Is Environmental Science Really a Good Major?

Is Environmental Science Really a Good Major? Imagine your family has been asking for years what you will specialize in when you go to college and you have just decided to change from “undeclared” to environmental science”. Will you be met with blank stares, head shakes, or grumbles about “you’ll never do anything good with…
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What We Wish We Had Known before Majoring in Environmental Science

Environmental science students consistently identify four critical areas they wish they'd understood before starting their major: the foundational importance of chemistry across all specializations, the competitive nature of introductory science courses, the long-term value of professional networking from day one, and the significant adjustment required for university-level science education. These insights come from hundreds of…
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