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Technological Studies in Archaeological Science

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  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology

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Abstract

Technological studies of artifacts are conducted by multidisciplinary teams to better understand how ancient people collected and manipulated raw materials (e.g., metals, clays, rocks, pigments, dyes), how they built utilitarian objects and art, and how they traded their products. Research methods include various forms of microscopy and imaging to evaluate internal structure and external wear, chemical techniques to determine elemental composition, and experimental replication to experience the choices and expertise of ancient craftsmen.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Program on Ancient Technologies and Archaeological Materials, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA

    Sarah U. Wisseman

Authors
  1. Sarah U. Wisseman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sarah U. Wisseman .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Claire Smith

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    E. Christian Wells

  2. School of Human Evolution & Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA

    Arleyn Simon

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Wisseman, S.U. (2020). Technological Studies in Archaeological Science. In: Smith, C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30018-0_328

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