Archaeological. Archaeological study covers an extremely long span of time and a great var

Archaeological.

Archaeological study covers an extremely long span of time and a great variety of subjects. The earliest subjects of archaeolgical study date from the origins of humanity. These include fossil remains believed to be of human ancestors who lived 3.5 million to 4.5 million years ago. The earliest archaeological sites include those in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenye; and elsewhere in East Africa. These sites contain evidence of the first appearance of bipedal(upright-walking), apelike early humans.(46). Some sites also contain evidence of the earliest use of simple tools. Asia about 1.8 million years ago, then into Europe about 900,000 years ago.

The first physically modern humans, Homo sapiens, appeared in tropical Africa between 200,000and 150,000 years ago-dates determined by molecular biologists and archaeologists working together. Dozens of archaeological sites through tout Age (100,000 to 15,000 years ago).(47).

Archaeologists have documented that the development of agriculture took place about 10,000 years ago. Early domesticationis evident in such places as the ancient settlement in Jordan and in Mexico. Archaeology plays a major role in the study of early civilizations, such as those of the Sumerians of Mesopotamia, who built the city of Ur, and the ancient Egyptians, who are famous for the pyramids near the city of Gina and the royal sepulchers(tombs)of the Valley of the Kings at Thebes.(48).

Archaeological research spans the entire development of phenomena that are nuique to humans. For instance, archaeology tells the story of when people learned to bury their dead and developed beliefs in an afterlife. Sites containig signs of the first simple but purposeful hurials in graves date to as early as 40,000 years ago in Europe and Southwest Asia. By the time people lived in civilizations, burials and funeral ceremonies had become extremely important and elaborate rituals.(49). Few burials rival their lavish sepulchres. Being able to trace the development of such rituals over thousands of years has added to our understanding of the development of human intellect and spirit.

Archaeology also examines more recent historical periods. Some archaeologists work with historians to study American colonial life, for example. They have learned such diverse information as how the earliest colonial settlers in Jamestown, Virginia, traded glass beads for food with native Algonquian peoples; how the lives of slaves on plantations reflected their roots in Africa; and how the first major cities in the United States developed.(50). This garbage is the modern equivalent of the remains found in the archaeological record. In the future, archaeologists will continue to move into new realms of study.

[A] For example, the Mocha lords of Sip an in coastal Peru were buried in about ad 400 in fine cotton dress and with exquisite ornaments of bead, gold, and silver.

[B] By 40,000 yeas ago people could be found hunting and gathering food across most of the regions of Africa.

[C] Archaeological studies have also provided much information about the people who first arrived in the Americas over 12,000 years ago.

[D] They were simple plants that had not devloped sepa-appeared in the Silurian period. They were simple plants that had not developed separate stems and leaves.

[E] One site in Tanzania even reveals footprints of humans from 3.6 million years ago.

[F] One research project involves the study of garbage in present-day cities across the United States.

[G] Other sites that represent great human achievement are as varied as the cliff dwellings of the ancient Anasazi(a group of early Native Americans of North America)at Mesa Verde, Colorado; the Inca city of Machu Picchu high in the Andes Mountains of Peru; and the mysterious