Alabama Archaeology Alabama Archaeology Home Page An Educational Guide for Teachers and Students People have inhabited Alabama for more than 12,000 years. Early Alabamians used the same natural resources that are still enjoyed by the state's residents today. Much of what we know about these early cultures is because of archaeological research.
Archaeology is the scientific study of past peoples and their cultures.
By studying the places they lived and the things they left behind, we can unravel the story of the past. The link to the past is through the scientific study of archaeological sites and artifacts. Alabama's cultural resources belong to all of us and we are responsible for protecting our state's archaeological sites and preserving our common cultural heritage. The Alabama Archaeology website provides an educational resource for students and teachers who want to explore the prehistory and early history of our state. The following pages take you through the fundamentals of the science, the history of Alabama archaeology, the cultural time periods recognized by archaeologists, preservation issues, and some of our most celebrated cultural resources.