Prehistoric archaeology incorporates everything earlier, and extends backwards in time for at least 12,000 years, to the time of earliest human arrival within what is now our state. All archaeological thinking, discussion, and writing relates either to archaeological evidence or to archaeological interpretation . Archaeological evidence is the physical remains of past activities, while archaeological interpretation is the explanation of such physical evidence in the attempt of reconstructing past lifeways. The preceding artifact inventory is archaeological evidence. This interpretation can be defended based upon clues provided by the physical evidence.
Sites can be either prehistoric, historic, or both.
Examples of archaeological sites include Indian villages, seasonal camps, trails, petroglyphs, hunting blinds, quarries, or remains of old homesteads, logging camps, or historic mines. Archaeological Features - Archaeological features are stationary objects, made or used by people. They are found at archaeological sites and can be either prehistoric or historic in origin. They are found in concentrations at archaeological sites or as isolated finds. Archaeological interpretations are reconstructions or explanations of past human lifeways based upon physical evidence.