The goal of archaeology is to understand how and why human behavior has changed over time. Archaeologists search for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why these events occurred.

Archaeological discoveries let we as a species connect with our history: both our recent and our ancient past. Because of the emotional significance our species places on them, artifact preservation is a vital means of protecting these physical validations of our past.

Looters selfishly collect and keep the artifacts for themselves or sell the objects for profit. This robs their communities and the public of the opportunity to discover sites and learn from the artifacts. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) of 1979 protects artifacts and archaeological sites.

Archaeological work is mostly about keeping records – rather than about digging. This is necessary because archaeology destroys the sites it investigates. All the earth and evidence that is removed layer by layer cannot be replaced. It exists only in the records the archaeologist has kept.

Archaeology provides us with the opportunity to learn about past cultures through the study of artifacts, animal bones and sometimes human bones. Studying these artifacts helps to provide us with some insight about what life was like for people who left behind no written record.

Not only is it important for historical research, it also has a great deal of community and economic value. Archaeology has the potential to provide new information on the human past, solidify one’s ties to their social or national heritage, and provide economic means to locations all across the world.

One way archaeology helps us understand the past is through the material objects it finds, allowing us to know what was being used, and when. For example a dig recently found a flute, believed to be the oldest musical instrument found to date.

There are several reasons why it is important to study the past. One reason is that many events repeat themselves in some ways. The past should serve as a personal guide to the future. If a person learns from the mistakes of others, they can hopefully prevent making those same mistakes in their life.

Historians study the past by interpreting evidence. The historian works by examining primary sources — texts, artifacts, and other materials from the time period. The interpretative writings of historians –books, journal articles, encyclopedia entries — are considered secondary sources.

Why It’s Important That We Study History

• History helps us develop a better understanding of the world.
• History helps us understand ourselves.
• History helps us learn to understand other people.
• History teaches a working understanding of change.
• History gives us the tools we need to be decent citizens.

Definition. Historical thinking is associated with the craft of the historian. It involves the use of critical thinking skills to process information from the past. These skills include strategies that historians use to construct meaning of past events by comparing and contrasting sources of information.

Studying history allows us to observe and understand how people and societies behaved. For example, we are able to evaluate war, even when a nation is at peace, by looking back at previous events. History provides us with the data that is used to create laws, or theories about various aspects of society.

History matters because it helps us as individuals and as societies to understand why our societies are the way they are and what they value. They live in societies with complex cultures, traditions and religions that have not been created on the spur of the moment.

They start by pointing out that your ability to envision the future is strongly influenced by your memory for the past. That is, you tend to use memories of past experiences to predict what your life will be like in the future. It is easier to use your memories when the future you are predicting is close in time.

History helps to reveal facts about our past behavior, thinking and judgement, but importantly should help shape our present and future. While mankind has been able to build the impossible, there are more times than one when we have also created potential or even real catastrophes.