Final answer:
Historical archaeology is a subfield of anthropology that focuses on studying the material remains of past human societies. It provides insights into the lives of ordinary people who may have been marginalized or underrepresented in written history.
Step-by-step explanation:
Historical archaeology is a subfield of anthropology that focuses on studying the material remains of past human societies in order to understand their history and culture. It often focuses on the time period after the development of writing, when historical records are available but also incorporates prehistoric periods. This field of study is significant in anthropology because it allows researchers to fill in gaps in the historical record and provide insights into the lives of ordinary people who may have been marginalized or underrepresented in written history.
Historical archaeology typically involves excavating and analyzing artifacts and fossils to reconstruct past human activities and lifestyles. For example, a historical archaeologist studying a colonial settlement may excavate and analyze the remains of buildings, tools, and household items to learn about the daily lives of the settlers. Similarly, an archaeologist studying ancient civilizations may excavate burial sites and analyze the artifacts and human remains to gain insights into their social structure, religious beliefs, and burial practices.