An urban archaeologist investigates the history of cities using both direct evidence found on the ground and documentary materials such as historical records. Members of this field typically hold advanced degrees in archeology, anthropology, or related fields and work for government agencies, private businesses, and educational institutions. Excavations, archive research, and site investigation after objects are discovered during maintenance and other activities are examples of their work.
Some human cities are hundreds, if not thousands, of years old, with extensive archaeological evidence. Residents discarded waste materials, built on top of older layers of the city, and lived out their lives as those cities grew. These layers of culture and civilization are investigated by an urban archaeologist. This can provide more information about a city’s history, its residents, and historical events. Significant occurrences such as fires, mass deaths, and floods will be recorded in the archaeological record.
In urban archeology, archival research can be very useful. Examining historical property records such as lot maps, deeds, and titles is part of this process. Additional information about who lived where and how they lived can be found in newspapers, journals, and other documents. Sketches and other works of art can provide insight into the appearance of structures, which can aid an urban archaeologist in deciding how to approach a site. The combination of these records may help to contextualize discoveries.
Artifacts may be discovered while performing maintenance, preparing for construction, or disturbing ground for a garden, and people may be summoned to the site. Before new construction begins, a site evaluation by an urban archaeologist may be requested. When lots become vacant as a result of demolition or natural disasters, they can be a gold mine of information for an urban archeologist. The lot may contain layers of refuse from previous generations that provide important clues about their lives in cities built on fill, which is a common strategy.
This work could include research into both ancient and modern cultures. During site excavation, an urban archaeologist may consult with historians and other interested parties. Engineers, for example, might be interested in learning more about how ancient retaining walls were constructed, while religious scholars might be interested in learning more about what was discovered deep beneath religious sites. Many opportunities for fieldwork and ongoing support research to unearth context for findings are available at ongoing excavations around the world. As a public service, some cities keep one or more archaeologists on staff to help with the collection and preservation of history.