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Steps of the Scientific Method in Archaeology

In the 18th and early 19th centuries, archaeology was a wealthy gentleman's hobby. Amateur archaeologists traveled the world at their leisure looking at interesting sites. Egypt was a favorite destination -- full of beautiful, mysterious ruins, burial sites, mummies and hieroglyphs. However, destruction followed in their wake, for they removed many artifacts and took them home for their private curiosity collections.

Building on Darwin's work on natural selection (published in 1858), archaeology grew into a well-defined discipline. Researchers created the Three-Age system which allowed archaeologists to classify artifacts chronologically according to the primary materials early humans used in fashioning their tools and weapons. The new system defined the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. The Three-Age system together with the concept of human antiquity and evolution formed the building blocks of archaeology.

With a new perspective on the past and more respectability in their field, archaeologists adapted the Scientific Method in acquiring, describing and interpreting archaeological data. This procedure consists of several steps: (1) observing and describing the phenomena, (2) collecting data, (3) posing the question and formulating a hypothesis, and (4) interpreting the evidence and stating the theory.

Observation and Description
- Egypt is a treasure trove for archeologists
  
  Generally a researcher begins with an idea of his hypothesis and tailors the inquiry to reveal what he expects to find. The archaeologist studies books, reports, journals and all previous data as he begins a comprehensive search for anything relevant to his own project. He is primarily interested in any data he needs to support the hypothesis.
  
  The archaeologist begins a new undertaking with a survey to locate any previously unknown sites in the area. He designs a procedure for the field and lab work which must address the materials needed and methods used. It will be included in the final report of the results. The archaeologist then makes observations and collects data in a manner consistent with that procedure.
Data Collection
- Pictographs are the earliest form of writing.
  
  If the project requires an excavation, the researchers must collect all the data they find at the site, whether or not it is pertinent to their project, because digging will permanently destroy the site. After the field work is completed, the archaeologist organizes the data and brings the artifacts to the lab to be washed and cataloged. Then she reviews all the data in the form of relics, photographs, maps and field notes before writing the final report for publication.
Hypothesis
- Civilizations in Egypt and Central America (Aztecs and Mayas) built pyramids.
  
  When a researcher examines the nature of a phenomenon, he may wonder why it occurs. In answer to his own question, he proposes an hypothesis or an explanation for the observation. On further examination, he tests his hypothesis to see if it can accurately predict further occurrences. The experimental testing may either confirm the hypothesis or rule it out entirely. If those predictions are incompatible with the observed results of the test, she must revise her hypothesis and conduct further research. But if the data does support the hypothesis, the researcher can be more confident that his hypothesis is correct.
Evidence and Theory
- An earthquake may have destroyed Temple of Olympian Zeus in the Middle Ages.
  
  If the data supporting the archaeologist's hypothesis is convincing, and the experimental evidence can be reproduced by other researchers, the hypothesis becomes a theory. But to reach this standard, there must be irrefutable evidence that predicts and explains the phenomenon. A theory is an organized set of observations and explanations that can withstand the outside scrutiny that comes with the peer review and examination of the researcher's published report of observations.

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