Archaeology is the scientific study of human cultures based on analysis of material remains.
Archaeologists use clues such as artifacts and features in the soil to reconstruct the lifeways of the people who left these materials. Artifacts include any type of material that was made, modified, or used by humans. Some examples are china, bricks, iron nails, pottery, waste flakes from making stone tools, and shell ornaments. Artifacts include whole objects, plus fragments and refuse. Features are the remains of human activity that are not movable, such as hearths and building foundations.