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Archaeology is about reconstructing the physical past to obtain an understanding of how different civilisations and cultures have evolved over time. In this album, archaeologists from the British Museum explain the scientific processes involved in the discovery, investigation and interpretation of a variety of artefacts, such as skeletons, coins, textiles and metal artefacts unearthed at sites such as the famous Iron Age burial at Sutton Hoo, and Tell es-Sa'idiyeh in Jordan. The album also reveals how amateur archaeologists who use metal detectors contribute to creating a picture of ancient societies. This material forms part of The Open University course SA188 Archaeology: the science of investigation.
Track 11: X-raying objects
The importance of modern technology in the preservation of an artefact from an Iron Age burial at Sutton Hoo.
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Tracks in this podcast:
| Track | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Archaeology: the science of investigation | A short introduction to this album. Play now Archaeology: the science of investigation |
| 2 | The British Museum | The first attempt to bring cultures of the world together under one roof. Play now The British Museum |
| 3 | Excavations in Jordan by the British Museum: part 1 | The practical approach to the exacavation of Tell es-Sa'idiyeh, Jordan in 1989. Play now Excavations in Jordan by the British Museum: part 1 |
| 4 | Excavations in Jordan by the British Museum: part 2 | An archaeologist explains the probable reasons for settlement at Tell es-Sa'idiyeh. Play now Excavations in Jordan by the British Museum: part 2 |
| 5 | Excavations at Wetwang in Yorkshire, UK | The discovery of an Iron Age burial in Yorkshire - complete with chariot. Play now Excavations at Wetwang in Yorkshire, UK |
| 6 | A Wetwang skeleton | The discovery of a female skeleton with her chariot. Play now A Wetwang skeleton |
| 7 | Neanderthal bones in Croatia | A British Museum archaeologist describes her 120,000 year-old discovery in Krapina, Croatia. Play now Neanderthal bones in Croatia |
| 8 | Conserving archaeological finds | The work of conservators at the British Museum. Play now Conserving archaeological finds |
| 9 | Curating Jordanian artifacts | A Tell es-Sa'idiyeh conservator explains the initial approach to preserving artefacts. Play now Curating Jordanian artifacts |
| 10 | Conserving coins - a demonstration | A conservator explains how careful handling is required when cleaning artefacts. Play now Conserving coins - a demonstration |
| 11 | X-raying objects | The importance of modern technology in the preservation of an artefact from an Iron Age burial at Sutton Hoo. Play now X-raying objects |
| 12 | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | The success of the Portable Antiquities Scheme, which allows the mapping of coin finds by metal detector users and helps to build a more accurate picture of ancient Britain. Play now The Portable Antiquities Scheme |
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