Archaeological Methods:
- Excavation: Uncovering buried remains and artifacts through systematic digging.
- Surface Survey: Exploring and documenting visible features on the ground, such as settlements, burials, and midden sites.
- Aerial Photography and Remote Sensing: Capturing images from above to detect archaeological features (e.g., cropmarks, geoglyphs).
- Chronology: Determining the age of artifacts and remains using techniques like radiocarbon dating, dendrochronology, and typological analysis.
Anthropological Methods:
- Comparative Ethnography: Studying present-day indigenous societies to draw inferences about prehistoric cultures.
- Archaeological Anthropology: Examining artifacts and remains to understand social organization, beliefs, and behaviors.
- Ethnoarchaeology: Studying the material culture and practices of contemporary communities to gain insights into prehistoric behavior.
Biological Methods:
- Paleopathology: Analyzing skeletal remains to identify evidence of disease, injury, and dietary habits.
- Bioarchaeology: Studying human skeletal remains and other organic materials to understand health, nutrition, and population dynamics.
- Paleogenetics: Analyzing ancient DNA to trace human migration, genetic diversity, and relationships.
Environmental Methods:
- Paleoecology: Studying ancient environments through the analysis of fossils, pollen, and sediments.
- Geoarchaeology: Examining geological formations and deposits to understand the relationship between humans and their surroundings.
- Stable Isotope Analysis: Measuring the ratios of stable isotopes in bones and teeth to reconstruct diets, climate, and paleoenvironments.
Historical and Literary Methods:
- Textual Analysis: Examining written records, such as inscriptions, chronicles, and myths, for information about prehistoric societies.
- Historical Linguistics: Studying the evolution of languages to trace cultural connections and migrations.
- Ethnohistory: Using oral traditions and historical accounts from indigenous communities to complement archaeological findings.
Other Methods:
- Experimental Archaeology: Reconstructing prehistoric technologies, dwellings, and practices to gain experiential insights.
- Virtual Archaeology: Using 3D modeling and simulations to create virtual environments of archaeological sites.
- Crowdsourcing: Engaging with the public to collect data, identify artifacts, and participate in research.