Understanding the Discipline of Archeology - Essay Example

Nevertheless, as definitions are disputed, archaeology is agreed as interconnected and associated with anthropology and history.

Archaeology’s close connection with history proves to be an important one. Historical accounts are often based on unearthed and discovered materials. Archaeological records are significant devices in history and anthropology (Neustupny, 1993). Thus, archaeology is an important tool in the continuous writing and understanding of man’s history. As new evidence is uncovered, history, as we know it, may change and may evolve into a better and more truthful account of the past. However, the case may be the opposite, as what may happen if a biased study or poor analysis of the excavated materials is carried out? In the end, the importance of archaeology in the uncovering of the very history of man cannot be undermined. “Archaeology has progressed,” and the reason is that we, or most of us, no longer consider the creation theory of thousands of BC years (Johnson, 1999, p. 172).

Archaeologists carry out important processes that lead to a significant part of their job. Traditional methods may be like what we see in films, and modern practices have certainly improved. The systematic study of the past (Gamble, 2004) often starts with surveying areas. If significant conclusions are drawn from the initial process, then the excavation plan will proceed. As artifacts and other important materials are gathered, documentation and analysis of these items is the next step. It is from this step that archaeologists derived the significant information and studies proceed.

One of the significant names in archaeology is that of Howard Carter. Famous for the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, Howard Carter became a well-known figure in Egyptian archaeological discoveries. The road to his success was not a smooth one, as he encountered obscurities along the way. Though certain details about how his career began, it is said that a certain man by the name of Francis Allen had financed the young Carter’s education, or was, actually, the one who sent him to his exploration in Egypt (James, 2001). Carter’s fascination with Egypt was developed and soon, he began to work and help in the projects financed by the Egypt Excavation Fund (EEF). In these excavation trips, he learned much, though he was exposed to greed, lust, scorn, jealousy, and other ungentlemanly behavior of his co-workers (James, 2001). From his many experiences, he began to shape his career despite the adversities of the times, and his point of success came as the Archaeological Survey, a branch of the EEF, provided him the opportunity to unearth one of the most momentous discoveries in human history.