Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which kinds of objects and structures can serve as archaeological evidence?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Archaeology Archaeologists mapping their finds at Pachacamac, Peru, an Indigenous town occupied from approximately 200 bce to 1532 ce, when it was sacked by conquistadors under the command of Francisco Pizarro.

Archaeological evidence consists of the material remains of past human life and activities, encompassing everything created, used, or discarded by human beings. Because archaeologists study all past societies—including those without written records—they rely on these material traces to reconstruct history.12

Types of Archaeological Evidence

Archaeological evidence is broad and includes:

Artifacts: Portable objects made or modified by humans, ranging from simple stone tools to complex machines. This category also includes pottery, metal objects, and even written texts.12
Structures and Features: Non-portable evidence of human activity, such as houses, temples, tombs, palaces, cathedrals, and pyramids. Other features include roads, irrigation systems, hearths, and middens (refuse heaps).213
Biological and Environmental Remains: Archaeologists analyze human and animal bones, as well as plant remains like seeds, pollen, phytoliths (microscopic silica bodies), and starch grains. These provide critical data regarding diet, environment, and domestication.13

By systematically documenting these materials through archaeological survey and excavation, researchers can interpret the social functions, chronological placement, and cultural significance of past human communities.12