TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

WHAT DOES AN WHAT DOES AN ARCHEOLOGIST DO? ARCHEOLOGIST DO?

Are you confused about who can help Are you confused about who can help when you discover an ancient fossil or an when you discover an ancient fossil or an arrowpoint? Who can identify that really arrowpoint? Who can identify that really unusual type of rock you found in the unusual type of rock you found in the riverbed? Do you think that an archeologist riverbed? Do you think that an archeologist can assist you in each case? Actually, can assist you in each case? Actually, archeologists study traces of the archeologists study traces of the human past, while paleontologists study fossil past, while paleontologists study fossil remains of plants and animals, and remains of plants and animals, and examine rocks and landforms geologists examine rocks and landforms for clues to the history of the earth. Still for clues to the history of the earth. Still confused about the distinctions? Let ’s confused about the distinctions? Let ’s review the following defi nitions. review the following defi nitions.

Archeologist —a scientist who studies past peoples and cultures by Archeologist —a scientist who studies past peoples and cultures by excavating and examining material remains as simple as an arrowpoint excavating and examining material remains as simple as an arrowpoint or as complex as the ruins of a prehistoric village. Archeologists study or as complex as the ruins of a prehistoric village. Archeologists study ancient cultures as well as recent historic occupations. ancient cultures as well as recent historic occupations.

Archeologists are interested in animal bones, plant remains, and certain stone Archeologists are interested in animal bones, plant remains, and certain stone materials when these things occur at archeological sites and have a clear materials when these things occur at archeological sites and have a clear rela tionship to human activity. Animal bones that show evidence of hunting rela tionship to human activity. Animal bones that show evidence of hunting or butchering can shed on what past inhabi tants ate and details about or butchering can shed light on what past inhabi tants ate and details about the environment they inhabited. So can cer tain types of plant materials, such the environment they inhabited. So can cer tain types of plant materials, such as seeds and nutshells. Specific types of stones interest archeologists if they as seeds and nutshells. Specific types of stones interest archeologists if they were used for making tools, lining a hearth, or building a structure. Natural were used for making tools, lining a hearth, or building a structure. Natural features such as rock shelters, caverns, and sinkholes may interest archeologists features such as rock shelters, caverns, and sinkholes may interest archeologists if they were used or lived in by . Since dinosaurs lived long before if they were used or lived in by humans. Since dinosaurs lived long before the first humans, archeologists do not search for or study dinosaur bones. the first humans, archeologists do not search for or study dinosaur bones.

Paleontologist —a scientist who reconstructs the geologic history of the Paleontologist —a scientist who reconstructs the geologic history of the earth through the study of plant and animal fossils. earth through the study of plant and animal fossils.

Overall, the fossils that are of interest to paleontologists predate human Overall, the fossils that are of interest to paleontologists predate human history. Petrified wood, dinosaur bones and tracks, fossil snails and history. Petrified wood, dinosaur bones and tracks, fossil snails and shellfish, and other ancient life forms preserved in stone are objects of shellfish, and other ancient life forms preserved in stone are objects of interest to paleontologists. interest to paleontologists. —a scientist who studies the composition, structure, and history of the earth. Geologist —a scientist who studies the composition, structure, and history of the earth.

Geologists derive important clues to the history of the earth through the study of rocks, Geologists derive important clues to the history of the earth through the study of rocks, minerals, and geologic features such as volcanoes, underground caverns, escarpments, minerals, and geologic features such as volcanoes, underground caverns, escarpments, and other landforms. Fascinating landforms occur in every region of the state and and other landforms. Fascinating landforms occur in every region of the state and draw the attention of geologists eager to gather more information about Texas ’ draw the attention of geologists eager to gather more information about Texas ’ geologic past. geologic past.

DO YOU WANT TO EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF TEXAS ARCHEOLOGY? DO YOU WANT TO EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF TEXAS ARCHEOLOGY? Join the Texas Archeological Society (TAS). Members are eligible to participate in Join the Texas Archeological Society (TAS). Members are eligible to participate in the annual summer field school directed by professional archeologists, take part in the annual summer field school directed by professional archeologists, take part in recording ancient rock art, and attend presen tations on the latest archeological recording ancient rock art, and attend presen tations on the latest archeological in Texas at the annual meeting each October. TAS members also receive research in Texas at the annual meeting each October. TAS members also receive a quarterly newsletter and an annual bulletin. a quarterly newsletter and an annual bulletin.

For membership information, contact the TAS by email, [email protected]; For membership information, contact the TAS by email, [email protected]; phone, 210.458.4393; or mail, Texas Archeological Soci ety, c/o Center for phone, 210.458.4393; or mail, Texas Archeological Soci ety, c/o Center for Archaeological Research, of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, Archaeological Research, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249-0658. San Antonio, TX 78249-0658.

Several local and regional archeological societies also offer learning opportunities Several local and regional archeological societies also offer learning opportunities and a chance to meet with people who share your interests. Contact the Archeology and a chance to meet with people who share your interests. Contact the Archeology Division for further information, or check out the TAS website, www.txarch.org, for a Division for further information, or check out the TAS website, www.txarch.org, for a current list of societies in Texas. current list of societies in Texas.

IF YOU NEED ARCHEOLOGICAL ASSISTANC E... IF YOU NEED ARCHEOLOGICAL ASSISTANC E... Contact the Archeology Division of the Texas Historical Commission. We have Contact the Archeology Division of the Texas Historical Commission. We have information on a variety of archeological topics and may be able to provide the information on a variety of archeological topics and may be able to provide the technical assistance you need. Write, call, or email us at: Archeology Division, Texas technical assistance you need. Write, call, or email us at: Archeology Division, Texas Historical Commission, P.O. Box 12276, Austin, TX 78711-2276; 512.463.6096; Historical Commission, P.O. Box 12276, Austin, TX 78711-2276; 512.463.6096; [email protected] or [email protected]. archeology@ thc.state.tx.us.

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