Archaeology is the study of human activity.  It includes both material remains and evidence for the environmental impact humans have had on their environment.  It begins with the early origins of humans - their stone tools and the remains of their meals - and continues into living memory.

The way archaeologists study this activity takes many forms and often excavation is only one component in a long list of investigative techniques.  The factsheets below cover some of these themes - we hope you will find them useful.