Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Archaeology
What is archaeology?
Archaeologists commonly get confused for paleontologists, as well as similar sounding professions such as architects and archivists. So, what exactly do archaeologists do?
Archaeology is part of anthropology, the study of humans. Archaeologists study humanity through material culture. That is, objects! Archaeologists keep a careful log of where artifacts are found within the ground (called “provenience”). Without provenience, much of what we can learn about the past is lost. Though many think of archaeology as “digging”, the most important part of research happens after the excavation. After items are recovered, they are taken to the lab where they are carefully washed, measured, and analyzed to learn more about the people who created and used that object. Much of what archaeologists learn about the past is based on the artifacts themselves. Archaeologists are interested in things like where objects were located, what they are made of, and when they were made.
I found an artifact, what should I do?
Please feel free to email us at ky-osa@uky.edu with details and pictures of your find. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
How do I become an archaeologist?
Archaeologists typically have degrees in anthropology or archaeology and have completed a field school, where they learn proper procedures for excavation. Check out the University of Kentucky’s Department of Anthropology's website to learn more.
What’s the difference between B.C.E., B.C., BP?
Archaeologists may refer to dates in the past by using methods such as B.C.E., B.C., or BP, which can be confusing for non-archaeologists. So what do these acronyms mean?
B.C.E. refers to “Before Common Era”, while C.E. is “Common Era”. This is like our B.C. and A.D, respectively.
B.C. refers to “Before Christ” while A.D. stands for Anno Domini, a Latin phrase meaning “in the year of the Lord”.
Finally, BP stands for “Before Present”. But when is “present”? We typically consider “present” to be 1950 A.D. (over 70 years ago!). Therefore, something that is 200 BP would mean that it is from 1750 A.D.!
Questions about Kentucky
How long have people been living in Kentucky?
Archaeologists currently think that people have been living in Kentucky for around 12,000 years, which places it around the end of the last Ice Age. However, new research is always being done, which means that this date may be changed in the future!
Does Kentucky mean “Dark and Bloody Ground”?
The “Dark and Bloody Ground” myth is a common myth about how Kentucky got its name. According to this myth, Native peoples called the land “Kentucky”, meaning ‘dark and bloody ground’. The root of this story can be traced to an 18th century meeting between the Transylvania Company, who was seeking to buy Kentucky land, and the Cherokee, Iroquois, and other native groups that were seen to have “ownership” of Kentucky. Cherokee chief Dragging Canoe is quoted as saying “You have bought a fair land, but you will find its settlement dark and bloody.”
How can I learn more about Kentucky archaeology?
The Kentucky Heritage Council and Kentucky Archaeology Survey have many publications that are available to read. The Discover Kentucky Archaeology website also has information about specific archaeological sites in Kentucky.
