Other sub-fields of anthropology include cultural anthropology, physical anthropology, and linguistics. Archaeology is the study of material remains such as artifacts and features and their contexts. The purpose of archaeology is to learn about past peoples, their cultures, technologies, and adaptive behaviors. Archaeologists have lengthy, specialized training and use scientific methods. Their work is different from that of untrained excavators and treasure hunters.
Archaeological sites are fragile and irreplaceable.
They should be protected from vandalism, unscientific digging, and destruction by natural forces.