Archaeological science is also known as Archaeometry and refers to application of scientific techniques and applications to archaeology. Archaeological science is nowadays gaining popularity as it enables us to uncover our past and reconstruct our cultural history.
Archaeological science involves different aspects such as surveying, excavation and dating. This science can be further divided into the following areas:
The most important application of archaeological studies remains to be the absolute dates it provides for archaeological artifacts and strata. Some of the important dating techniques include radiocarbon dating, dendrochronology, thermoluminescence dating, etc. Archaeological science can also find other applications, such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), neutron activation analysis (NAA), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). All these techniques are commonly used in almost all sciences and hence one can believe the results obtained from their application to archaeology.
The usage of these modern techniques in archaeological science has enabled researchers to judge the history of a place more accurately. More people now believe in the archaeological findings as they are now based on scientific laws and principles. The validation of the biblical history through archaeological sites has given a boost to the science. Historical events which were once termed as mythological and fictional are now considered real due to their validation through established scientific techniques.
Archaeological science is practiced professionally by researchers all over the world. The wide application of different science streams in archaeological science has increased the involvement of many researchers into the field. Many people from traditional science fields such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology and mathematics who have interest in knowing the past through archaeological sites pursue a career in this area. Many universities offer undergraduate level and postgraduate level courses in archaeological science.