Archaeology is the study of the past using material remains. It is complementary to history as it provides information about prehistory, which accounts for 99.9% of human history. Archaeology crosses disciplinary boundaries and takes a holistic approach, recognizing that the past is intertwined. It informs our understanding of heritage value and the importance of heritage education. The document outlines key concepts in archaeology like sites, monuments, artifacts, and formation processes, and traces the evolution of archaeological theory from antiquarianism to newer processual and post-processual approaches.

1. Introduction to Archaeology
V.Selvakumar

2. Heritage Studies
• Archaeology
• History
• Archival Studies
• Conservation
• Museology
• Epigraphy
• Numismatics
• Heritage Management
• Heritage Tourism

3. • Study of the Past using material remains
• History –Prehistory 99.9 % + 0. 1 %
• Crossing disciplinary boundaries
• Complementary to history
• Past is one; Holistic approach
• Heritage Value
• Heritage Education

4. Concepts
• Site
• Mound
• Monument
• Artefact
• Antiquity
• Formation process
• Context
• Statigraphy

5. • Antiquarianism
• Cultural History
• New Archaeology or Processual Archaeology
• Post-Processual Archaeologies

6. Major Discoveries
• Thomas Trautmann “The three ‘fundamental
discoveries’ in indological studies are the
discovery of the Indo-European language
family (1786); the discovery of the Dravidian
language family (1816), and the discovery of
the Indus civilization (1924).

7. Thank You