The location of archaeological sites is known as archaeological survey , and the recovery of remains from a site through digging is called excavation . The study of archaeology is essentially multidisciplinary. Archaeology is also important in the study of the historically known past because archaeology's focus on material remains provides a record of the lives of ordinary people, which is often left out of the historic chronicles. Finally, archaeology is a way of preserving the physical remains of the past so that we may use these objects to enhance our appreciation of the past. Without the efforts of archaeologists, many museums would have nothing to show of the great achievements of our ancestors.
Many people think of archaeology as nothing more than the discovery of great treasures.
Mostly it is not. Archaeology is normally the examination of bits and scraps of people's behavior from the past. From these pieces of discard, archaeologists try to learn of the things that happened in the past. By patiently piecing together the information from site after site, a picture emerges about life in the past.