Final answer:
Archaeologists examine artifacts and fossils, using careful excavation techniques and advanced technology to gather and interpret raw data about past human activities. These include assessing societal structures, human-environment interactions, and subsistence strategies through the analysis of cultural remains.
Step-by-step explanation:
Archaeologists rely on various types of raw data when examining the physical remains of human activity in the past. This includes studying artifacts, which are objects made by humans, such as pottery or tools, as well as fossils, which are the preserved remains of organisms. Excavation is carried out with care to uncover these items and learn about past human life, addressing basics like clothing and shelter, societal organization, trade networks, and leadership systems. Archaeology also explores human-environment interactions, assessing how people altered their surroundings and how those surroundings influenced their evolution and social structures.To conduct their research, archaeologists may start with a survey of a potential site, sometimes employing technologies like drones or satellite imagery. Upon discovering artifacts or ecofacts (natural objects showing no sign of human craftsmanship), an archaeological excavation begins to document and understand the significance of these finds. The data collected includes GPS coordinates, contextual notes, and careful mapping of features with a grid system. Specialized fields like bioarchaeology, zooarchaeology, and archaeobotany contribute to the interpretations of human remains, animal bones, and plant materials, respectively, shedding light on aspects such as diet, social behavior, and resources.Overall, archaeological techniques are scientific and varied, involving precise fieldwork, lab analysis, and an interdisciplinary approach to uncovering the complex tapestry of human history.