Archaeologists study the material remains left by humans to understand ancient cultures. Archaeology is a branch of anthropology, the wider study of past human civilizations.
The program, "Digging into Anthropology," was led by faculty from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Anthropology. The presenters helped visitors of all ages better understand human origins, cultures, and the various methods anthropologists use to unlock the mysteries of our past. There was an archaeological test dig outside the museum.
Visitors discovered how soil is interpreted by archeologists. Digging is the major technique archaeologists use to recover information about ancient people. An important part of archeological excavation is knowing how to observe and interpret the soils that contain ancient artifacts. Archaeologists call this “reading the dirt.” With the help of the UNL Landscape Services, Dr. Bleed excavated a small trench outside Morrill Hall. Visitors watched as he cleaned the walls, documented the layers and surfaces, and demonstrated how archeologists use this information to describe events in the past.
Cultural and physical anthropology were also explored. Dr. McCollough had replicas of human skulls on hand to demonstrate the evolution of humans, from when humans first became bipedal to modern day. Early tools, such as pebble tools and hand axes, were on display to show the transformation in technology over the millennia.
(cont.) Dr. Beyen discussed the study of primates, and how their movements and social behavior provide clues about human origins. A variety of primate skeletons were available for viewing, along with slide show images.
