Learning about people of long ago
Scientists who study the things made by people who lived long ago are
called archaeologists.
By digging in places where people once lived, archaeologists find
houses, tools, dishes, weapons, and other objects. Sometimes they find
marvelous works of art, such as statues and paintings. And sometimes
they find cities that have been covered up for thousands of years. This
digging is hard work, but it’s like an exciting treasure hunt!
Archaeologists have discovered much of what we know about old
civilizations. Now we can read about the daily life of the ancient
Egyptians, the Aztecs, and other people.
For thousands of years, ships from many lands have sailed the waters of
the world. Some of these ships—ancient Egyptian riverboats, Viking
dragonships, Roman galleys, and Spanish treasure galleons—were sunk in
terrible storms or in battles. Many of these ships carried cargoes of
everyday objects. Others were full of treasures.
Underwater archaeologists hunt for such sunken ships. When they find
one, they dive down, wearing special equipment. They take pictures and
make charts. They search the wreck and the area around it.
Many beautiful works of art, weapons, coins, and other things have been
found by underwater archaeologists. In some cases, they have even
brought up entire ships!
